Los Angeles County, California
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[REPORT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2011 BEGINS ON PAGE 217]
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY. THE MEETING OF THE AUGUST 9TH, 2011 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL BEGIN. FIRST WILL BE LED IN PRAYER BY RABBI MARK GOLDFARB OF THE TEMPLE BETH OHR FROM LA MIRADA. THE PLEDGE BY SAMUEL CASTRELLON, POST COMMANDER OF POST NUMBER 176 OF THE SAN FERNANDO AMERICAN LEGION. IF THE AUDIENCE WILL PLEASE RISE, RABBI?
RABBI MARK GOLDFARB: MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION TO BE WITH YOU. THIS MORNING, IT IS TRULY MY HONOR. THE PROPHET ISAIAH TEACHES US "SHARE YOUR BREAD WITH THE HUNGRY AND WHEN YOU SEE THE NAKED, GIVE CLOTHING. DO NOT IGNORE YOUR OWN KIN. IF YOU BANISH THE MENACING HAND, THE EVIL SPEECH IF YOU OFFER COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING, THEN YOUR LIGHT SHALL SHINE IN DARKNESS." THUS SPOKE THE PROPHET OVER 2,500 YEARS AGO AND HOW TRUE HIS WORDS ARE TODAY. THERE IS A DARKNESS THAT PERVADES OUR COMMUNITY. HATRED AND INTOLERANCE ABOUNDS. WE FACE A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES: ECONOMIC CHALLENGES. THERE ARE THOSE OF US WHO HUNGER FOR FOOD, FOR JOBS AND FOR HOPE. ALL AROUND US ARE THOSE WHO ARE NAKED, WITHOUT SHELTER, PROTECTION OR RESOURCES. AND SO LET US PRAY. CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, SOURCE OF ALL LIFE, WE HAVE CALLED YOU BY MANY NAMES AND HAVE FOUND YOU THROUGH THE DIVERSE AND DIFFERENT PATHS OF OUR RESPECTIVE RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS. MAY OUR HEARTS AND MINDS BE OPEN TO YOUR PRESENCE THIS DAY. TEACH US TO GIVE THANKS FOR WHAT WE HAVE BY SHARING IT WITH THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED. KEEP OUR EYES OPEN TO THE WONDERS OF YOUR CREATION AND ALERT TO THE CARE OF THE EARTH. MAY WE NEVER BE LAZY IN THE WORK OF PEACE. MAY WE HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN DEFENSE OF OUR LAND AND OUR IDEALS. MAY OUR LEADERS FIND THROUGH YOUR PRESENCE WISDOM, STRENGTH AND COURAGE SO THAT THEY MAY GOVERN WITH JUSTICE AND COMPASSION, SO THAT THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES MIGHT BE AN EXAMPLE, A PLACE WHERE THE HUNGRY WILL BE FED, THE NAKED CLOTHED AND SHELTERED. HELP US TO APPRECIATE ONE ANOTHER, TO SEE EACH OTHER NOT AS OBSTACLES ON OUR PATHS BUT RATHER AS YOUR CREATION AND OUR BROTHER AND SISTER. MAY WE COME TO RESPECT THE MANY AND VARIED WAYS THROUGH WHICH WE SERVE YOU. I INVITE YOU TO SILENTLY ADD YOUR CONCLUSION TO THIS PRAYER. AND LET US SAY AMEN.
SAMUEL CASTRELLON: GOOD MORNING. IF YOU ARE A VETERAN YOU MAY EXECUTE HAND SALUTE DURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, EVERYBODY ELSE PLEASE PUT YOUR HAND OVER YOUR HEART. READY, BEGIN [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE RECITED.]
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SUPERVISOR KNABE?
SUP. KNABE: THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO PRESENT A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION TO RABBI GOLDFARB. HE IS THE RABBI OF TEMPLE BETH OHR IN LA MIRADA. IN 1991 HE RECEIVED HIS ORDINATION FROM THE HEBREW UNION COLLEGE IN CINCINNATI, OHIO. HAS SERVED CONGREGATIONS IN TEXAS, MICHIGAN, OHIO, AND CALIFORNIA. HE HAS WORKED AS CHAPLAIN FOR HOSPICE, SENIOR CARE CENTERS, PRISONS, AND HOSPITALS. HE'S A MEMBER OF THE CENTRAL CONFERENCE OF AMERICAN RABBIS AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JEWISH CHAPLAINS. HE'S MARRIED TO DEBORAH WHO I ALSO HAVE THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER LONG BEACH IN WEST ORANGE COUNTY. THEY HAVE THREE CHILDREN. SO I'D LIKE TO PRESENT MY PERSONAL THANKS TO RABBI GOLDFARB FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT OF HIS VERY BUSY SCHEDULE TO COME JOIN US FOR AN INVOCATION. [APPLAUSE.]
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY?
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, WE WERE LED IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE THIS MORNING BY SAMUEL CASTRELLON WHO IS REPRESENTING THE AMERICAN LEGION SAN FERNANDO POST NUMBER 176. HE IS A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, HE'S A PAST COMMANDER OF THE POST. HE SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS FROM 1971 THROUGH '82 OBTAINING THE RANK OF CORPORAL. HE WAS STATIONED WITH THE THIRD TANK BATTALION AT CAMP SCHWAB IN OKINAWA. HE IS A PLANT MANAGER FOR THE LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT. HE'S BEEN MARRIED TO HIS WIFE, MARIA FOR 28 YEARS WITH THREE CHILDREN AND HE'S LIVED IN OUR DISTRICT FOR 50 YEARS. A GRADUATE OF SAN FERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL, TIGERS. AND, SAMUEL, WE THANK YOU FOR LEADING US IN THE PLEDGE THIS MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.
SAMUEL CASTRELLON: THANK YOU, SIR, MY PLEASURE.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY. WE WILL BEGIN THE AGENDA.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. WE WILL BEGIN TODAY'S AGENDA ON PAGE 4, AGENDA FOR THE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION. ITEM 1-D. THAT ITEM IS BEFORE YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: MOTION BY SUPERVISOR GLORIA MOLINA. SECOND WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: ON PAGE 5, AGENDA FOR THE MEETING OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, ITEMS 1-H THROUGH 6-H. ON ITEM UMBER. 2-H, THERE'S A REQUEST FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO HOLD THIS ITEM. ON ITEM NUMBER 4-H, I WILL READ THE SHORT TITLE IN FOR THE RECORD. THIS IS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE INTENT BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO UNDERTAKE BOND FINANCING FOR COMPTON SENIOR APARTMENTS LP IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 12 MILLION DOLLARS TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPTON SENIOR APARTMENTS. ON ITEM NUMBER 5-H, THIS IS ALSO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING MORTGAGE REVENUE BONDS BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 11,974,000 DOLLARS TO ASSIST TERRA BELLA LP IN FINANCING THE SITE ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF A 65-UNIT MULTI-FAMILY RENTAL HOUSING PROJECT. SO ITEMS NUMBER 1-H THROUGH 6-H WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 2-H, WHICH IS BEING HELD BY THE PUBLIC, IS BEFORE YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY. MOTION BY SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY. SECONDED WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: ON PAGE 7, AGENDA FOR THE MEETING OF THE REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT, ITEM NUMBER 1-P.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: MOTION BY SUPERVISOR KNABE. SECOND WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: PAGE 8, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, ITEMS NUMBER 1 THROUGH 10. ON ITEM NUMBER 1, THERE'S A REQUEST FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO HOLD THIS ITEM. ON ITEM NUMBER 4, THERE'S A REQUEST FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO HOLD THIS ITEM. ON ITEM NUMBER 7, SUPERVISOR RIDLEY-THOMAS ABSTAINS FROM THE VOTE. AND THE REMAINING ITEMS UNDER THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ARE BEFORE YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY. MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MOLINA, SECONDED BY MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS ABSTAINING ON ITEM 7. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: ON PAGE 11, CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 11 THROUGH 33. ON ITEM NUMBER 13, THERE'S A REQUEST FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO HOLD THIS ITEM.
SUP. KNABE: WHAT ITEM?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: 13. ON ITEM NUMBER 19 THERE'S A REQUEST FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO HOLD THIS ITEM. ON ITEM NUMBER 20, THERE'S A REQUEST FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO HOLD THIS ITEM. ON ITEM NUMBER 23, THERE'S A REQUEST FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO HOLD THIS ITEM. AND ON ITEM NUMBER 27, AS INDICATED ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA, THE CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER REQUESTS THAT THIS ITEM BE REFERRED BACK TO HIS DEPARTMENT. THE REMAINING ITEMS UNDER THE CONSENT CALENDAR ARE BEFORE YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY. MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS. SECOND WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: ON PAGE 19, ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION, ITEMS 34 AND 35, AND I'LL READ THE SHORT TITLES IN FOR THE RECORD. ON ITEM NUMBER 34, THIS IS AN ORDINANCE FOR INTRODUCTION AMENDING THE COUNTY CODE TITLE 2, ADMINISTRATION, TITLE 5, PERSONNEL AND TITLE 6, SALARIES, RELATING TO THE ADDITION, DELETION AND/OR CHANGING OF CERTAIN CLASSIFICATIONS, THE NUMBER OF ORDINANCE POSITIONS IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE FINDINGS OF THE CLASSIFICATION STUDIES. THIS ITEM IS BEFORE YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: MOTION BY SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY. SECOND WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: ON ITEM NUMBER 35, THIS IS AN ORDINANCE FOR INTRODUCTION AMENDING THE COUNTY CODE TITLE 2, ADMINISTRATION, TO ADD A SECTION TO DEFINE A QUORUM OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION AS A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN APPOINTED. ON THIS ITEM, THERE'S A REQUEST FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO HOLD THE ITEM. DISCUSSION ITEM, ITEM NUMBER 36, WE WILL HOLD FOR A DISCUSSION. MISCELLANEOUS ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA WHICH--
SUP. KNABE: EXCUSE ME. I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE CONTINUED A WEEK? NO?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: ITEM NUMBER 36? I DON'T HAVE A RECORD OF IT.
SUP. KNABE: I'D LIKE TO MOVE A CONTINUANCE.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: NO. I'M HOLDING THAT.
SUP. KNABE: OKAY, I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO CONTINUE IT A WEEK, NO?
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: I'M HOLDING IT.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: ON PAGE 21, MISCELLANEOUS, ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA WHICH WERE POSTED MORE THAN 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING AS INDICATED ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA. ON ITEM NUMBER 37-A, THIS ITEM WILL BE HELD FOR A DISCUSSION WITH ITEM S-1. ON ITEM NUMBER 37-B, THERE'S A REQUEST FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO HOLD THIS ITEM. ON ITEM NUMBER 37-C, THERE'S A REQUEST FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO HOLD THIS ITEM. ON PAGE 24, NOTICES OF CLOSED SESSION, ON ITEM NUMBER CS-4, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REQUESTS THAT THIS ITEM BE CONTINUED ONE WEEK TO AUGUST 16TH, 2011.
SUP. KNABE: CS-4?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: CS-4.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: MOTION BY SUPERVISOR KNABE. SECONDED WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: AND THAT COMPLETES THE READING OF THE AGENDA. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SPECIAL ITEMS BEGIN WITH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT NUMBER 4.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SUPERVISOR KNABE?
SUP. KNABE: THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I'M GOING TO BE ASKED TO BE JOINED UP HERE BY RICHARD STEINKE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PORT OF LONG BEACH, COMMISSIONERS NICK CERAMIC AND DOUG DRUMMOND AND OTHER LONG BEACH PORT STAFF. TODAY, WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE PORT FOR A VERY IMPORTANT MILESTONE. WE'RE CELEBRATING THEIR 100TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY. IN JUNE OF 1911, THE PORT OF LONG BEACH RECEIVED ITS FIRST SHIPMENT OF LUMBER FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. TODAY THE PORT IS A MAJOR GATEWAY FOR U.S. ASIAN TRADE SUSTAINING OVER 1.4 MILLION JOBS AND MOVING OVER 140 BILLION DOLLARS IN TRADE EACH AND EVERY YEAR. AND TRULY ONE OF OUR GREAT ECONOMIC ENGINES HERE, NOT ONLY IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES AND THE STATE BUT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THROUGH THEIR GREEN PORT POLICY AND CLEAN AIR ACTION PLAN, THE PORT HAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED; THE PORT IS ALSO INVESTING IN ITS INFRASTRUCTURE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF GOODS MOVEMENT, REDUCE CONGESTION AND REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE. THE PORT IS RECOGNIZED, AS WE ALL KNOW, INTERNATIONALLY AS A PREMIER SEAPORT AND LOCALLY AS A PARTNER DEDICATED TO HELPING OUR COMMUNITIES THRIVE. SO ON BEHALF OF THIS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, OUR 10 MILLION PLUS RESIDENTS, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND OUR GREAT NATION, WE WANT TO JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE PORT OF LONG BEACH'S 100TH BIRTHDAY AND SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY. [APPLAUSE.] ALL RIGHT. SO RICHARD STEINKE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS GOING SAY A FEW WORDS. BUT AS LONG AS HE'S GOING TO TALK, I WANT TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING ELSE TO TALK ABOUT. I ALSO HAVE A SCROLL HERE FOR MR. STEINKE. THIS IS A SPECIAL PRESENTATION. HE DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS COMING TODAY. BUT RICHARD CAME TO THE PORT IN 1990 AND WAS APPOINTED TO HIS CURRENT POST IN 1997 BY THE BOARD OF HARBOR COMMISSIONER. HE HAS DIRECTED THIS PORT IN LAUNCHING THE PIONEER ENVIRONMENTAL GREEN PORT POLICY THAT I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, INCLUDING THE REDEVELOPMENT OF A 500-ACRE FORMER LONG BEACH NAVAL COMPLEX AND TERMINAL ISLAND INTO SHIPPING TERMINALS TO HANDLE THE GROWING CARGO DEMANDS. HE IS CHAIRMAN OR WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PORT AUTHORITIES, ALLIANCE OF OVER 150 PORTS IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AND LATIN AMERICA. I SERVED WITH HIM ON THE ALAMEDA CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, THE INTERMODAL CONTAINER TRANSFER FACILITY JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY, THE HARBOR ASSOCIATION OF __________ COMMERCE. SO WE JUST WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT WHILE WE'RE CELEBRATING THE PORT'S 100TH BIRTHDAY, RICHARD WILL BE RETIRING HERE SOON. WE WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WE KNOW WE MAY NOT HAVE MANY MORE TIMES TO GET HIM DOWN HERE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR A JOB WELL DONE. I WISH YOU THE VERY, VERY BEST. GOOD HEALTH AND GOD'S SPEED ON YOUR RETIREMENT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PORT OF LONG BEACH, THE CITIZENS OF LONG BEACH AND OUR GREAT COUNTY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE.]
RICHARD STEINKE: THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF HARBOR COMMISSIONERS, WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THIS RECOGNITION IN OUR 100TH ANNIVERSARY. WE STARTED WITH VERY HUMBLE BEGINNINGS IN 1911 WHEN THE FIRST LUMBER SHIP CAME TO BUILD WHAT WAS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S HOUSING INDUSTRY. AND WE'VE GROWN INTO THE INTERNATIONAL PORT THAT SUPERVISOR KNABE REFERENCED. I WANT TO THANK SUPERVISOR KNABE ESPECIALLY FOR HIS REPRESENTATION OF THE PORT OF LONG BEACH OVER THE MANY YEARS THAT HE'S REPRESENTED US, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREAS OF4A HOMELAND SECURITY AND HIS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE ON ALAMEDA CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE GOOD WORK OF THE PORT OF LONG BEACH INTO THE NEXT CENTURY, AND WE APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE.]
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: NOW WE WANT TO BRING UP ANTHONY BALTA OF VALENCIA HIGH SCHOOL WHERE HE PLAYED BASEBALL AND HE WAS ONE OF 30 STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES WHO WAS CHOSEN FOR THE SOPHOMORES MAX PREPS SOPHOMORE ALL-AMERICAN BASEBALL TEAM. HE WAS ALSO THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER BY THE FOOTHILL LEAGUE AND WAS THE CIF SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION 1 FIRST TEAMER. AND WHAT HE HAD ACCOMPLISHED DURING THIS SEASON, HE BATTED .425. HE HAD 11 HOME RUNS, 37 HITS, 36 RUNS AND 25 RBIS. AND IT'S A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT. I KNOW TOMMY LASORDA AND MICHAEL SCIOSCIA WOULD BOTH LIKE TO HAVE HIM IN THEIR RADAR SCREEN TO EITHER HELP THE ANGELS OR THE DODGERS WHO BOTH NEED HELP AT THIS TIME IN THE FORTHCOMING YEAR. [LAUGHTER.] SO CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE.]
ANTHONY BALTA: I'M A.J. BALTA. MY FAMILY HERE, THIS IS MY FATHER HENRY BALTA. HE WORKS FOR THE COUNTY. MY MOM LILLIANA BALTA AND MY SISTER VICTORIA BALTA. SHE ATTENDS YALE UNIVERSITY AND SHE JUST FINISHED HER FRESHMAN YEAR. THAT'S MY FAMILY. [LAUGHTER.] [APPLAUSE.] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THE SYBIL BRAND INSTITUTIONAL INSPECTIONS COMMISSION WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD BACK IN 1959. AND THEY INCLUDED THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF HAVING INSPECTIONS OF OUR GROUP HOMES, JAILS, LOCKUPS, PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AT ALL OF THE COUNTY FACILITIES ONCE A YEAR. THEY'RE CONDUCTED TO ENSURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THOSE FACILITIES' ECONOMICAL, ADMINISTRATION, CLEANICALLINESS AND COMFORT OF THE RESIDENTS. LAST YEAR, THEY HAD 328 SITE INSPECTIONS. THIS YEAR THEY HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED 207 SITE INSPECTIONS. IT'S TO ENHANCE THE LIFE OF THOSE WHO ARE INCARCERATED, LIVING UNDER STRICT SUPERVISION OR ASSIGNED TO A GROUP HOME ENVIRONMENT. SINCE 2007, THE SYBIL BRAND COMMISSION HAS AWARDED BOTH YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN SCHOLARSHIPS TO ASSIST THEM IN THEIR PURSUIT TO FURTHER EDUCATION. TO DATE, THEY'VE AWARDED 13 SUCH SCHOLARSHIPS. THIS YEAR, WE WOULD SELECT THE FOLLOWING THREE VERY DESERVING STUDENTS. TALATHEA SHERRY SHARA JAMES. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE.] SHE'LL BE GOING TO CAL STATE FULLERTON. SEFORA ABUI. [APPLAUSE.] SHE'S GOING TO BE GOING TO AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, ONE OF OUR GREAT UNIVERSITIES. AND GEORGEINA VASQUEZ. [APPLAUSE.] SHE'S GOING TO BE GOING TO CAL STATE LOS ANGELES, MY OLD ALMA MATER. SAY A FEW WORDS.
SPEAKER: I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE SYBIL BRAND RECIPIENTS AND THANK THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. AND WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF THESE YOUNG WOMEN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE.] THIS IS A MINIATURE POODLE MIX. LITTLE BOY, HE'S FIVE MONTHS OLD. AND HIS NAME IS SCOOBY. AND HE'S LOOKING FOR A HOME. AND HE'S VERY FLUFFY. ANYWAY, LITTLE SCOOBY. OR YOU'RE WATCHING AT HOME, 562-728-4644. LITTLE SCOOBY, LITTLE BUTTER BALL. LIKE A BALL OF COTTON. SEE ANYBODY OUT THERE? OKAY.
SUP. KNABE: THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I DO HAVE A FEW ADJOURNMENTS. FIRST OF ALL TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF A SON OF A VERY GOOD FRIEND, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JONAS KELSALL. HE WAS ONE OF 30 NAVY SEALS WHO WAS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN THIS PAST WEEKEND. HE WAS ONLY 33 YEARS OLD. HE WAS A NATIVE OF SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, RECEIVED MOST OF HIS TRAINING IN SAN DIEGO. HE WAS ONE OF THE VERY FIRST MEMBERS OF SEAL TEAM 6, AND WE REMEMBER WHAT MANY MEMBERS OF THAT TEAM DID RECENTLY WITH OSAMA BIN LADEN. HE ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AFTER GETTING OUT OF BASIC UNDERWATER TRAINING WHERE HE MET HIS WIFE. AND WE ARE GRATEFUL, OBVIOUSLY, FOR HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME. AND TO THE FAMILIES OF ALL OF OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL THAT WERE TRAGICALLY KILLED THIS WEEKEND. JONAS IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE OF THREE YEARS, VICTORIA AND HIS PARENTS, JOHN AND TERRY. JOHN, HIS FATHER, WAS SO PROUD OF JONAS, AND JOHN IS THE CEO OF THE GREATER LAKEWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. I EXCHANGED EMAILS WITH HIM YESTERDAY. YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE TALKED ABOUT, HE WAS JUST FINDING OUT HIS FATHER, WHO TALKED ABOUT JONAS EVERY CHANCE THAT HE GOT, BUT HE EARNED AT LEAST THREE BRONZE STARS, HAD A LEGION OF MERIT AWARD THAT HE NEVER TOLD HIS PARENTS ABOUT. WE'VE GOT A LOT TO LEARN, THEY SAID, FROM HIS SEAL BUDDIES. ANYWAY, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE TIME TO SHARE A CUP OF COFFEE TOGETHER. BUT THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY TRAUMATIZED BY THIS TRAGIC TURN OF EVENTS. SO OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO WITH THE ENTIRE FAMILY AND THE GREATER LAKEWOOD FAMILY AS WELL, TOO, WHO I KNOW WHO ARE TRYING TO DEAL AND GIVE HIM SUPPORT AND THE FAMILY SUPPORT, AS WELL. ALSO THAT WE ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF KEN BIERMAN, WHO WAS BORN IN LONG BEACH, DIED SUDDENLY AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 47. HE GREW UP IN CERRITOS, GRAD GRADUATED FROM CERRITOS HIGH SCHOOL AND L.A. TRADE TECH. HE WAS VERY ACTIVE IN THE BOY SCOUTS, KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AND MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE DEBBIE, TWO SONS, MATTHEW AND CHRISTOPHER, BROTHERS JOHN, DAVE AND WIFE GABBY, PARENTS LYNN AND RAY AND MANY OTHER RELATIVES. ALSO THAT WE ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF LINNEA BOOKER WHO IS A LONG-TIME RESIDENT OF LONG BEACH, PASSED AWAY AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 67. WENT TO POLY, CAL STATE LONG BEACH. SHE WAS A SOCIAL WORKER FOR OUR COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES FOR MANY YEARS. SHE RETIRED EARLY. WAS QUITE A GOLFER. AND SORT OF WAS A LEGEND OUT AT LAKEWOOD COUNTRY CLUB. SHE IS SURVIVED BY HER TWO CHILDREN, ERIC AND JULIE. ALSO THAT WE ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF OLIVER WARD CANTRELL, LONG TIME RESIDENT OF BELLFLOWER. PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 88. MOVED TO CALIFORNIA IN 1943 FROM MISSOURI. HE WAS AN INDEPENDENT MILK PRODUCER AND AT ONE TIME WORKED OVER 1,000 DAYS IN A ROW. HE LEFT HIS MILK BUSINESS AND WORKED FOR ROCKVIEW DAIRY FOR 20 YEARS. HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE JESSIE, TWO CHILDREN, JUDITH AND RON, FIVE GRANDCHILDREN AND SEVERAL GREAT GRANDCHILDREN. AND ALSO I BELIEVE WE DID THIS LAST WEEK TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF LIZ KREIMANN, A MOTHER OF OUR DIRECTOR OF BEACHES AND HARBORS, I BELIEVE WE DID THAT LAST WEEK, ALL MEMBERS ON THAT AS WELL, TOO. FINALLY AN ADJOURNMENT THAT CAUGHT US ALL BY SURPRISE, PATTI ACOSTA, THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH CLINIC IN LONG BEACH PASSED AWAY SUDDENLY ON AUGUST 4TH. SHE WAS A LONG-TIME FRIEND OF MINE, TREMENDOUS ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN. RECENTLY SHE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN OBTAINING LEGISLATION WHICH MANDATES DENTAL SCREENING FOR CHILDREN AS THEY BEGIN SCHOOL. SHE WAS A DRIVING FORCE BEHIND OUR DENTAL CLINIC IN BELLFLOWER. THIS DENTAL CLINIC HAS SERVED COUNTLESS CHILDREN, HAS MADE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT TO THE LIVES OF MANY CHILDREN NOT ONLY IN THE GREATER L.A. AREA BUT LONG BEACH WHERE SHE WAS VERY ACTIVE AND OBVIOUSLY ON CATALINA ISLAND AND AVALON TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE HAD THE SAME KIND OF DENTAL OPPORTUNITIES. SHE HAD AN INCREDIBLE SMILE. SHE WILL BE TRULY MISSED. AND I WANT TO EXTEND MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER SONS DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME. AND AS I SAID, SHE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED. MR. MAYOR, THOSE ARE MY ADJOURNMENTS.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SECOND, WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE ALSO THAT THIS WILL BE FOR ALL MEMBERS ALONG WITH ALL 22 MEMBERS OF THE SEAL TEAM SIX AND EIGHT AMERICAN SERVICEMEN WHO WERE KILLED IN THAT TRAGIC HELICOPTER CRASH AND THESE WERE THE 30 AMERICAN SOLDIERS. AS I SAID MOST OF THEM WERE THE ELITE FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE NAVY SEALS. THEY INCLUDED FIVE AIR CREW MEMBERS AND 25 PERSONNEL FROM THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND. IT HAD GONE DOWN AND THEY WERE ARRIVING TRYING TO ASSIST AMERICAN RANGERS WHO WERE TRAPPED IN THAT FIERCE FIGHTING THAT WAS GOING ON. SO ALL MEMBERS. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED AS WELL. ALSO, ISAO SAM KOJIAMA WHO PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 34 ON JULY 30TH, HE WAS THE UNCLE OF MY FORMER LEGISLATIVE AID WHEN I WAS IN SACRAMENTO, JOAN CHAN. HE WAS A WORLD WAR II VETERAN WITH THE UNITED STATES ARMY, THE 442ND REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM WHICH WAS ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY DECORATED IN WORLD WAR II. HE WAS A TRANSLATOR AND MEMBER OF THE UNIT THAT WAS CAPTURING JAPANESE ARMY SOLDIERS. HE TOLD US HIS TWO NIECES, JOAN AND LYNN THAT BECAUSE PART OF HIS FAMILY WAS IN JAPAN DURING THAT WAR, SO JOAN ASKED HIM "WHAT WERE YOU DOING WHEN YOU WERE FIRING AT THE ENEMY?" AND HE SAID "WELL, I'D ALWAYS LOOK IN THEIR EYES BEFORE I WOULD SHOOT JUST IN CASE I WOULDN'T SHOOT MY BROTHER." SO HE WAS A HIGHLY PRIZED MEMBER OF THAT FAMED UNIT AND VERY PROUD OF HIS CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE ARMY DURING WORLD WAR II AND IT WAS INTERESTING; HE KEPT MANY OF THE DOCUMENTS THAT WERE TRANSLATED THAT WILL BE NOW DONATED TO A MUSEUM FOR OUR HISTORY. ALSO DOUG SWAIN, A BUSINESSMAN IN THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY, 30 YEARS WITH THE CAR DEALERS ON CREEKSIDE ROAD IN SANTA CLARITA VALLEY. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LOCAL AMERICAN RED CROSS, SUPPORTED THE CHARITIES, INCLUDING THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB. THE MICHAEL HOFFMAN FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN'S CANCER AND HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE AND HIS CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. ELROY VILLINES, AGE 85, RETIRED INSPECTOR WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. HERSCEL WISE, ALSO RETIRED LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S SERGEANT PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 80. JAMES BOYD SHEFFIELD SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES MARINES DURING WORLD WAR II. HE WAS A FIREFIGHTER FOR THE CITY OF BURBANK AND WAS PRESIDENT OF THE BURBANK CHAPTER OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS. HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS FIVE CHILDREN AND HIS BROTHERS, ROBERT AND JACK. LUCY COLLETT, PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 78. SHE RETIRED LIBRARIAN FROM SCHOOL DISTRICT. AND SHE LEAVES HER HUSBAND AND HER CHILDREN. VERNON BEANER PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 75. HE SERVED AS A RESIDENT OF SUN VILLAGE FOR MORE THAN 45 YEARS. HE WAS RETIRED FROM THE L.A. COUNTY ROAD DEPARTMENT AND HE OVERSAW THE SUN VILLAGE HANDYMAN WORKERS PROGRAM FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. LESTER DEAN CARTER, 50-YEAR RESIDENT OF ANTELOPE VALLEY WAS EMPLOYED WITH THE LOS ANGELES WATER AND POWER FOR 30 YEARS. JOSE ANTONIO GALVEZ, ALSO OF THE ANTELOPE VALLEY, PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 63. RUTH ANNA PICKIT JONES, EARLY SETTLER OF THE ANTELOPE VALLEY, PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 107. SHE GRADUATED FROM ANTELOPE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL IN 1923, AND SHE LEAVES HER CHILDREN, EIGHT GRANDCHILDREN, NINE GREAT GRANDCHILDREN AND SEVEN GREAT GREAT GRANDCHILDREN. LEONARD MINGHELLI ALSO OF ANTELOPE VALLEY, PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 59. HE WAS A MASONERY CONTRACTOR. AND GURDUS CLAUDE ROWERDINK, PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 80 FROM THE ANTELOPE VALLEY AND HE WAS A VETERAN OF THE KOREAN WAR. SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR KNABE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. MOTION, SUPERVISOR MOLINA? GLORIA? GLORIA? ADJOURNMENT MOTIONS?
SUP. MOLINA: PAYING ATTENTION HERE. I'D LIKE TO ASK TODAY THAT WE ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF CLEOTILDE, HER NAME WAS TILLY RODRIGUEZ. SHE WAS A BELOVED STAFF MEMBER AT MALDEF, THE MEXICAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND. FOR OVER TWO DECADES TILLY SERVED AS THE ORGANIZATION'S RECEPTIONIST AND SHE WAS ADORED BY STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS ALIKE. HER DAUGHTER, YOLANDA, WORKS FOR FIRST FIVE. AND SO WE WANT TO SEND OUR HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO YOLANDA AND HER ENTIRE FAMILY AND OF COURSE ALL OF US WHO NEW HER AND LOVED HER. I'D ALSO LIKE TO ASK THAT ALL MEMBERS JOIN IN THE MEMORY OF FORMER OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE AND PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER ANDY COLLINS WHO HAS TRAGICALLY PASSED AWAY. ANDY WAS A FRIEND AND TEAMMATE OF JAKE BLEVINS, THE SON OF OUR COUNTY CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER, DONALD BLEVINS. AFTER HIS OCCIDENTAL CAREER, ANDY CONTINUED HIS ATHLETIC CAREER IN THE ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE. AND SO ANDY, OF COURSE, WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED. WE WANT TO EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO ANDY'S FAMILY, HIS FRIENDS, AS WELL AS ALL THE PLAYERS AND COACHES WHO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW HIM. THAT'S ALL.
SUP. RIDLEY-THOMAS: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. MAYOR. PERMIT ME TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS. JEANETTE WILEY, WHO PASSED ON THE 28TH OF JULY AT THE AGE OF 51. SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE WESTERN STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE T. DIVAS AND TDOS GOLF CLUB. SHE WORKED AT NORTH GRUMMAN AND IS SURVIVED BY HER MOTHER, HER SISTER, HER SON JASON AND HER DAUGHTER KIRA. MR. CHARLES HERBERT BENNETT SR. BORN SEPTEMBER THE FIFTH, 1929 IN DUCK HILL, MISSISSIPPI AND PASSED ON AUGUST THE FOURTH THIS YEAR AT THE AGE OF 81. HE LEFT SCHOOL AT AN EARLY AGE TO RAISE HIS YOUNGER SIBLINGS AND JOINED THE U.S. ARMY IN 1950. HE SERVED AS A VEHICLE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN AT FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA AND WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF CORPORAL IN 1952. CHARLES MOVED TO ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, WHERE HE WORKED FOR EMERSON ELECTRIC AND RELOCATED TO LOS ANGELES IN 1954. HE OBTAINED HIS DIPLOMA AND EARNED AN ASSOCIATE'S OF ARTS DEGREE IN ACCOUNTING FROM TRADE TECH COLLEGE. HE WORKED FOR THE VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL FOR 31 YEARS AND RETIRED AS A SENIOR DRUG COUNSELOR. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE PEOPLE'S INDEPENDENT CHURCH OF CHRIST AND SERVED AS AN ACTIVE TRUSTEE AND A MEMBER OF THE SAMARITAN GROUP. HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, EULA, HIS SISTER ANNIE, HIS BROTHER CHESTER, GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT GRANDCHILDREN AND EXTENDED HOST OF FAMILY, NEIGHBORS. NITA CHAMBERLAIN, BORN JULY THE 11TH, 1916 IN MARSHAL TEXAS AND PASSED ON AUGUST THE FIFTH OF THIS YEAR AT THE AGE OF 95. SHE EARNED HER UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES IN EDUCATION FROM BISHOP COLLEGE IN TEXAS AND GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. HER GRADUATE DEGREE THERE. SHE RETIRED FROM WHITTIER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVING SPECIALIZED IN EDUCATIONAL COUNSELING AND TEACHER FORMATION TRAINING. SHE JOINED THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN IN 1962 AND SERVED AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS. NITA CHAMBERLAIN WAS ONE OF THE FORMER MEMBERS AND FIRST PRESIDENT OF NCNW VIEW PARK SECTION OF LOS ANGELES AS WELL AS THE LEGACY LIFE MEMBER AND SERVED AS A NATIONAL OFFICER. SHE WAS A LONG-TIME MEMBER OF THE DELTA SIGMA THETA, THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS' UNION AND AS RECENTLY AS 2009, SHE WAS APPOINTED TO SERVE ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S KITCHEN CABINET. SHE WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF ST. PAUL BAPTIST CHURCH IN LOS ANGELES, AND SHE WILL BE REMEMBERED, LOVED AND RESPECTED FOREVER. SHE IS SURVIVED BY HER SISTER, MARY, AND MANY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO CONSIDER HER TO BE A BELOVED FRIEND AND EVEN MATRIARCH. AND, FINALLY, MR. MAYOR AND COLLEAGUES, I ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF MADISON T. SHAPLY SR. BORN FEBRUARY 4, 1923 ON A PLANTATION IN ARLINGTON, TENNESSEE. HIS STORY IS A PART OF THE STORY OF L.A. COUNTY HISTORY AND WELL WORTH OUR KNOWING. HE CONSIDERED HIMSELF TO BE A DEVOUT CHRISTIAN AND BASED HIS FAITH AND REFUSED DURING WORLD WAR II AND SERVED HIS SENTENCE FOR THREE YEARS WITH THE CIVILIAN PUBLIC SERVICE KNOWN THEN AS THE CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR'S CAMP INCLUDING A STINT FIGHTING FIRES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. MR. SHACKLY FELL IN LOVE WITH CALIFORNIA AND AFTER THE WAR AND GRADUATION FROM EARLHAM COLLEGE, A QUAKER SCHOOL IN INDIANA, HE WAS ADMITTED AND ENROLLED IN THE YEAR OF 1949 IN THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK, TO PURSUE AN MSW DEGREE. BUT INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, GIVEN THAT ERA, HE WAS VICTIMIZED BY WHAT WAS KNOWN AS MCCARTHYISM AND HE LOST HIS EMPLOYMENT WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY AS A SOCIAL WORKER BY REFUSING TO SIGN THE LOYALTY OATH, THUS LOSING THE ABILITY TO PAY FOR HIS EDUCATION. HE WITHDREW AFTER ONE YEAR AND WORKED FOR THE UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN OWNED INSURANCE COMPANY DURING A TIME WHEN MAJOR INSURANCE COMPANIES DID NOT HIRE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AGENTS. SO SERVING IN SOUTH LOS ANGELES FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES, HE RETURNED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. AND AFTER REPEATING HIS FIRST YEAR AND COMPLETING THE SECOND YEAR OF HIS PROGRAM GRADUATED IN 1971 AT THE AGE OF 48. HE WORKED, THEN, FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES SOCIAL SERVICES AS A SUPERVISOR IN THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES DIVISION UNTIL 1986. HE WAS A POPULAR AND AFFABLE COLLEAGUE AND IS FONDLY REMEMBERED EVEN TO THIS DAY BY HUNDREDS OF HIS COUNTY COWORKERS WITH WHOM HE SERVED THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH LOS ANGELES AREA. IT'S AN INTERESTING STORY FOR MR. SHACKLY. IT'S A STORY OF CALIFORNIA. IT'S A STORY OF LOS ANGELES. RETIRED, BECAME A MARRIAGE FAMILY THERAPIST AND MAINTAINED A SMALL COUNSELING PRACTICE. AND THEN IN A CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD STORY, IT WAS BY ACCIDENT THAT HE SHOWED UP ONE DAY ON THE SET OF A MOVIE PRODUCTION AND WAS PLACED IN THE ROLE OF AN AFRICAN VILLAGE CHIEF AND LAUNCHED A NEW CAREER AS AN TO ACTOR IN WHAT WE NOW KNOW AS THAT FAMED PRODUCTION "THE COLOR PURPLE" AND HIS ACTING CAREER WOULD CONTINUE FOR LITERALLY A QUARTER OF A CENTURY AND WAS ONLY STOPPED ACTING IN 2010 WHEN HE WAS DISABLED BY ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER. HE WAS A LIFE LONG ACTIVIST, CONTINUING HIS WORK FOR PEACE THROUGH THE FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION. HE WORKED VERY TIRELESSLY, COMPLETED AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE FIRST THIRD OF HIS LIFE AND TOLD THE STORY OF HAVING GROWN UP IN THE SOUTH AND HIS STATUS OF A CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR AND MEETING FOLK LIKE BAYET RUSTON, PAUL ROBESON, AND THURGOOD MARSHALL. MADISON SHACKLY SR. LIVED FOR 50 YEARS AS A RESIDENT OF MIDTOWN, LOS ANGELES WITH HIS WIFE, AUDREY. AND HE IS SURVIVED BY HER AND FOUR CHILDREN, BRENDA, HILLARY, MADISON AND ANDREA. SEVERAL GRANDCHILDREN, A SISTER EDITH. WE SIMPLY WISH TO EXPRESS OUR DEEP CONDOLENCES TO THIS FAMILY FOR A LIFE WELL LIVED AND A STORY WORTH RECOGNIZING AS A PART OF L.A. COUNTY HISTORY. MADISON P. SHACKLY SR.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SECOND WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. ALL MEMBERS. SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY?
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: MR. MAYOR, I HAVE AN ADJOURNING MOTION, TWO ADJOURNING MOTIONS. FIRST, I ASK THAT WE ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF KRISTEN SAMANTHA WONG WHO RECENTLY PASSED AWAY UNEXPECTEDLY AT THE UNTIMELY AGE OF 31. KRISTEN IS SURVIVED BY HER FATHER STEVEN WONG, A LONG TIME FRIEND OF MY OFFICE, A VALUED COLLEAGUE AT THE LOS ANGELES CITY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE WHEN I WAS OVER THERE. AND ALSO SURVIVED BY HER BROTHER, GARRETT, HER MOTHER MARGARET WHO PREDECEASED HER. ALSO ASK THAT WE ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF MARCIA ROTHMAN WHO RECENTLY PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 88 AFTER AN EXTENTLE ILLNESS. MARCIA WAS BORN IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA WORKED FOR 20 YEARS AS A JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER AT L.A. UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT. SHE IS SURVIVED BY HER TWO SONS, JEFFREY AND JONATHAN, A DAUGHTER ELIZABETH, AND TWO GRANDCHILDREN IAN AND ANGELA MAYA. HER HUSBAND OF 63 YEARS SANFORD PREDECEASED HER. SHE WILL BE MUCH MISSED BY THE FAMILY AN DFRIENDS WHO KNEW AND ADMIRED HER. THOSE ARE MY ADJOURNING MOTIONS.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SECOND WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. OKAY. I'M GOING TO CALL UP ARNOLD SACHS. ARNOLD SACHS? THEN WE HAVE ITEM 2-H, 1, 4, 13, 19, 35, 20, 23, 37-B, 37-C. MOTION BY SUPERVISOR KNABE, SECONDED, WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. OKAY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 36, MR. SACHS? MR. SACHS IS NOT HERE. REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. I KNOW THEY WILL BE COMING VERY SHORTLY. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ASK A COUPLE QUESTIONS. ON JULY 28TH THE GOVERNING BOARD OF LA-RICS VOTED TO ABANDON THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS THAT WAS UNDERWAY TO RESTART THE PROCESS UPON THE ADVICE OF COUNTY COUNSEL. LAST WEEK THE GOVERNING BOARD WAS ADVISED THAT THE NEW PROCUREMENT PROCESS WAS GOING TO NOW INVOLVE A THREE-PRONGED PROCESS INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINAL TURNKEY SYSTEM. THIS THREE-PRONGED PROCESS WOULD CONSIST OF THE DESIGN AND ULTIMATE INSTALLATION OF THE SYSTEM, THE DESIGN OF THE TOWERS AND NEW BUILDINGS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TOWERS AND NEW BUILDINGS. THIS TURNKEY PROCESS WHICH WAS PREFERRED PROCESS BY THE J.P.A. WAS CONSIDERED IDEAL BECAUSE IT WOULD ALLOW FOR THE J.P.A. TO HOLD A SINGLE CONTRACTOR ACCOUNTABLE AND IT AVOIDED UNNECESSARY DELAYS, INCREASED COSTS AND LIABILITY THAT ARE MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN USING MULTIPLE CONTRACTORS UNDER THE THREE-PRONGED PROCESS. SO A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. MR. FUJIOKA, IS THE ORIGINAL R.F.P. AND PROCUREMENT PROCESS SALVAGEABLE IN ANY WAY AT THIS POINT? AND IF NOT, WHY NOT?
C.E.O. FUJIOKA: AT THIS JUNCTURE, IT IS NOT SALVAGEABLE. THAT INFORMATION HAS BEEN, OR THE BASIS FOR THAT DECISION HAS BEEN SHARED WITH THE BOARD IN CLOSED SESSION. IT'S BASICALLY THE CURRENT- WELL OR THE PAST R.F.P. THAT HAS TERMINATED DID NOT COMPLY WITH PUBLIC CONTRACT CODE.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: DID THE J.P.A. VOTE TO RESTART THE PROCESS? I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROCESS WOULD INVOLVE A THREE PRONGED PROCESS. COULD YOU EXPLAIN THE PROS AND CONS OF THE ORIGINAL TURNKEY SYSTEM VERSUS THIS NOW THREE-PRONGED PROCESS?
C.E.O. FUJIOKA: AS I MENTIONED THAT THE PREVIOUS PROCESS WAS TERMINATED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT DEEMED LEGAL. AND SO TO GET INTO THE PROS AND CONS OF THAT AT THIS POINT IN TIME WOULD REALLY DOESN'T HAVE ANY MERIT GIVEN THE ILLEGALITY OF THAT PROCESS. WHAT WE PUT TOGETHER NOW, WHAT THE J.P.A. BOARD PUT TOGETHER DOES WORK. THE TURNKEY PROCESS, I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, WOULD BE A PREFERRED METHOD. BUT BECAUSE IT'S NOT LEGAL UNDER THE CURRENT PROVISIONS OF THE PUBLIC CONTRACT CODE, THE NEXT BEST POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE IS THE APPROACH WE'RE DOING NOW.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SO THEN YOU AGREE THAT THE TURNKEY APPROACH WAS THE BEST OR THE MOST IDEAL APPROACH TAKEN?
C.E.O. FUJIOKA: THE TURNKEY APPROACH, IT ABSOLUTELY HAD SOME BENEFITS. BUT, AGAIN, UNDER THE CURRENT PUBLIC CONTRACT CODE, IT IS NOT LEGALLY PERMISSIBLE. AND SO WE'RE DOING NOW IS GOING FORWARD WITH ANOTHER PROCESS THAT CAN WORK. AND WE WILL MAKE IT WORK.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: DOES EITHER APPROACH, TURNKEY OR THE THREE-PRONG, GIVE ANY CONTRACTOR AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE?
C.E.O. FUJIOKA: OUR INTENT WHEN WE DEVELOPED THE NEW R.F.P., AND AS WE GO FORWARD WITH THE PROCESS FOR THE THREE-PRONGED APPROACH, NOT ONLY R.F.P., BUT ALSO THE BID STAGE OF THAT, IS TO MAKE SURE IT'S FAIR, MAKE SURE IT'S OBJECTIVE, IT'S AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD FOR ALL POTENTIAL BIDDERS.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SO HOW DOES THIS CHANGE THE DYNAMICS FOR THE BIDDERS? CAN THE SAME BIDDERS THAT RESPONDED TO THE ORIGINAL R.F.P. ALSO BID FOR ONE, TWO OR ALL THREE OF THE NEW R.F.P.S UNDER THIS THREE-PRONG PROCESS?
C.E.O. FUJIOKA: I BELIEVE ALL APPROPRIATE RESPONSIBLE BIDDERS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE PAST, WILL ACTIVELY PURSUE THE NEXT SET OF R.F.P.S AND BIDS THAT WE'VE RELEASED FOR THIS PROJECT.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: ONE OF THE CONCERNS RAISED WAS THE ISSUE OF SYSTEM WARRANTY IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE CONTRACTORS INVOLVED. SO WHO WOULD BE LIABLE, RESPONSIBLE FOR WARRANTY?
C.E.O. FUJIOKA: THE COMPANY THAT BUILDS THE SYSTEM WILL, AS WITH ANY OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE, WILL BE LIABLE FOR THAT SYSTEM.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SO THIS PREVENTS, IF IT WAS AWARDED TO THREE CONTRACTORS THAT TWO COULD SAY THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE WAS THE- I MEAN, WE ONLY GET THE THREE STOOGES WHERE EVERYBODY IS POINTING AT EVERYBODY ELSE.
C.E.O. FUJIOKA: I DON'T BELIEVE SO, SIR. OUR INTENT IS AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS AND WE'LL BE WORKING WITH COUNSEL THAT WE'LL PUT TOGETHER DOCUMENTS THAT ENSURE THE RESPECTIVE ENTITIES WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EACH, AS WE CALL EACH OF THE PRONGS. HE, WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PRODUCT THAT EITHER DESIGN, INSTALL OR BUILD.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: AND HOW MANY MEMBERS ARE CURRENTLY ON THE J.P.A.?
C.E.O. FUJIOKA: ON THE EXEC BOARD THERE'S 17 MEMBERS. ON THE ENTIRE J.P.A., THERE'S 85 MEMBERS.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: EIGHTY-FIVE?
C.E.O. FUJIOKA: YES, SIR.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: IS THERE ANY WAY AS THE J.P.A. RESTARTS THE PROCESS, THAT THE TURNKEY APPROACH COULD BE USED TO AVOID INCREASED COSTS, DELAYS, AND LIABILITY TO THE J.P.A.?
C.E.O. FUJIOKA: WELL THE ONLY WAY THAT CAN BE DONE IS WITH A CHANGE IN STATE LEGISLATION. BUT I NEED TO BE CLEAR THAT THE THREE-PRONG APPROACH CAN WORK. AND IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY- IT WILL NOT NECESSARILY RESULT IN INCREASED COST DELAYS OF LIABILITY TO THE J.P.A.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SO HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO GUARANTEE TO THE TOWN COUNCILS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS THAT WHEN THE WORK BEGINS, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE INCLUDED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS AND NOT AT THE END OF THE PROCESS?
C.E.O. FUJIOKA: THAT'S AN EXCELLENT POINT. WE'LL MAKE SURE WE WORK WITH EACH OF OUR BOARD OFFICES. WE HAVE VIRTUALLY EVERY CITY IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES WHO IS PARTICIPATING IN THIS EFFORT WILL BE WORKING WITH THEIR TOWN COUNCILS, WILL ENSURE THAT CITY COUNCILS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY OF L.A., NOT ONLY L.A. CITY, BECAUSE WE HAVE MANY MORE CITIES IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, WILL BE INVOLVED IN THAT STEP.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: MS. ORDIN, DID YOUR STAFF REVIEW AND APPROVE THE ORIGINAL R.F.P.?
ANDREA ORDIN, COUNSEL: YES, IT DID IN 2009.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: AND WHEN DID YOU FIRST LEARN ABOUT THE FLAW IN THE R.F.P. THAT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION?
ANDREA ORDIN: THE OFFICE AS A WHOLE BECAME AWARE OF IT APPROXIMATELY IN MAY OF THIS YEAR.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: WHEN WAS THE BOARD INFORMED OF IT?
ANDREA ORDIN: WE INFORMED MEMBERS OF THE STAFF WITHIN WEEKS AS WE WERE DETERMINING HOW SERIOUS THE FLAW MIGHT BE.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: AND WHO AND HOW WAS THIS BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION?
ANDREA ORDIN: I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE OUR FULL OUTLINE OF THE EXAMINATION IN CLOSED SESSION.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY. WAS THERE ANY WAY TO LEGALLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT HAVING TO RESTART THE PROCESS?
ANDREA ORDIN: WE SEE NO WAY WITHOUT RESTARTING THE PROCESS TO SALVAGE THIS.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: AND TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE, HOW WERE ALL THOSE OPTIONS EXPLORED?
ANDREA ORDIN: WE PUT ADDITIONAL STAFF ON IT WITHIN THE COUNTY COUNSEL. WE HIRED AN OUTSIDE COUNSEL WHO HAS HAD GREAT EXPERIENCE IN COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL CONTRACTING. AND WE WORKED WITH MANY, MANY OF OUR PARTNERS IN LA-RICS TO DETERMINE WHAT THEIR CONTRACTING MODES WERE AND WHETHER THERE WAS A WAY TO SALVAGE IT BY USING ONE OF THOSE.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: NOW, WHY DID THE COUNTY COUNSEL APPROVE A TURNKEY OPERATION IN 2006 FOR PUBLIC WORKS WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM?
ANDREA ORDIN: IN THAT ONE, IT WAS A VERY DIFFERENT CONTRACT. THOUGH IT WAS TURNKEY, IT WAS NOT LIKE OR COMPARABLE TO THE LA-RICS SYSTEM BECAUSE THE KEY THERE IS THE DEGREE TO WHICH CONSTRUCTION IS INVOLVED. IN THAT SITUATION, CONSTRUCTION WAS NOT INVOLVED.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SIMILAR TYPE OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS IN R.F.P.S THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED OR OTHER PROJECTS THAT THE COUNTY HAS PARTICIPATED IN?
ANDREA ORDIN: WE ARE UNAWARE OF ANY AT THE MOMENT, BUT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING A FULL REVIEW, NOT ONLY OF THE CLOSED CONTRACTS, BUT MUCH MORE IMPORTANTLY OF ANY CONTRACTS WHICH ARE PRESENTLY PENDING.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SO THE INITIAL ADVICE UPON WHICH THE J.P.A. WAS RELEASED, THE R.P.A. WAS THAT A MINOR ERROR OR SIGNIFICANT ONE?
ANDREA ORDIN: WELL, AGAIN, I THINK THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE WILL TALK TO YOU ABOUT IN CLOSED SESSION AS WE GO THROUGH THE HISTORY HERE. WE DO KNOW THAT IT IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH WITH THE CONTRACT AS A WHOLE THAT IT CAN'T GO FORWARD.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: HAVE YOU INITIATED CORRECTIVE ACTION MEASURES?
ANDREA ORDIN: WE HAVE. WE HAVE BEGUN THAT. BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF EXAMINING THE NATURE OF THE ERROR.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THE FORMAL EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT OCCURRED AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN, IS THAT FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION? OR THAT WILL BE A FORMAL REPLY IN PUBLIC SESSION? OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH?
ANDREA ORDIN: I THINK PROBABLY AS WE OFTEN DO IT'S A COMBINATION OF BOTH.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: AND MR. FUJIOKA, WERE THERE ANY OTHER J.P.A. BOARD MEMBERS WHO WERE PROVIDED A WRITTEN LEGAL OPINION BEFORE TAKING ACTION?
C.E.O. FUJIOKA: THEY WERE NOT PROVIDED A WRITTEN LEGAL OPINION; HOWEVER, IN A CLOSED SESSION MEETING WITH THE J.P.A., A VERY THOROUGH PRESENTATION WAS MADE BY NOT ONLY OUR COUNTY COUNSEL BUT ALSO INDEPENDENT COUNSEL THAT IS NOT A MEMBER OF OUR COUNTY COUNSEL. WE HAVE A VERY THOROUGH DISCUSSION.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY. SO THIS IS GOING TO BE REFERRED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. AND THEN I WOULD ALSO REQUEST THAT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE SEND TRANSCRIPTS OF THIS TESTIMONY TO THE MEMBERS OF THE J.P.A.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: CAN I ASK A QUESTION?
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY?
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: YOU INDICATED THAT THE R.F.P., MS. ORDIN, THAT THE R.F.P. WAS APPROVED IN 2009. I THOUGHT IT WAS WHEN YOU SAY APPROVED?
ANDREA ORDIN: I THINK IT WAS SENT OUT FOR BIDS IN 2009.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: MY INFORMATION WAS THAT IT WAS ISSUED APRIL OF 2010. SO I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN 2009 AND APRIL OF 2010? DO EITHER OF YOU GUYS KNOW?
ANDREA ORDIN: I'LL KNOW IN JUST A MINUTE AFTER I PULL OUT THE CHRONOLOGY.
C.E.O. FUJIOKA: I BELIEVE THAT DATE IS RIGHT. WHILE SHE'S LOOKING, MR. MAYOR, WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSCRIPT, IF YOU LIKE, I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO WORK WITH OUR EXEC OFFICER TO ENSURE EACH MEMBER RECEIVES A COPY OF THAT.
SUP. YAROSLVASKY: SURE.
ANDREA ORDIN: THE J.P.A. BYLAWS WERE ADOPTED THE 15TH OF- THE J.P.A. BYLAWS WERE ADOPTED. AND THEN IN APRIL OF 2010, THE R.F.P. WAS RELEASED FOR PROPOSALS. SO THAT WAS APRIL 5, 2010.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: SO IT'S THE J.P.A. THAT YOU MEANT TO REFERENCE IN 2009 AND THE R.F.P. WAS--
ANDREA ORDIN: YES.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: OKAY, THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY. WE HAD PUBLIC COMMENT, TWO PEOPLE HAD SIGNED UP. DR. GENEVIEVE CLAVREUL AND ARNOLD SACHS. ALSO GENEVIEVE SIGNED UP FOR S-2.
ARNOLD SACHS: THANK YOU, GOOD MORNING, ARNOLD SACHS. THE L.A. REGIONAL INTEROPERATIVE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM OR BETTER THE INOPERABLE. HAVE YOU CONSIDERED BRINGING IN SOME METRO EXPERTISE? BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING A WONDERFUL PROGRAM ON THE TAP CARD? HAVE YOU CONSIDERED CONTACTING GARRETT MORRIS WHEN HE WAS WITH SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE FOR NEWS FOR THE DEAF? THIS IS ANOTHER SITUATION, ANOTHER ELECTRONIC FIASCO THAT THE BOARD FINDS ITSELF IN THAT HAS NO BUDGET ENDING. THIS IS TRAFFIC SYNCHRONIZATION IN ALL THE DISTRICTS. JUST KEEP FINDING MORE MONEY TO PUT INTO THIS SYSTEM. FOR 10 YEARS OR EIGHT YEARS YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING AT THIS. MAYBE, INSTEAD OF CHANGING THIS SYSTEM, PEOPLE SHOULD THINK ABOUT CHANGING THE SYSTEM THAT SITS IN THE HORSESHOE. THERE THEY MIGHT GET A SYSTEM OF COMMUNICATION THAT WOULD REALLY WORK. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. DR. CLAVREUL?
DR. GENEVIEVE CLAVREUL: YES, DR. GENEVIEVE CLAVREUL. GOOD MORNING. FIRST, I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE COUNTY COUNSEL DECIDED TO PUT ALL THE DISCUSSION UNDER CLOSED SESSION. I THINK IT'S QUITE INAPPROPRIATE. I KNOW THE PUBLIC HAS THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. WHEN IT COMES TO THAT CONTRACT, SINCE 1999 I HAVE OBJECTED TO MULTIPLE CONTRACTS, BOTH ON THE WAY THEY WERE WRITTEN AND TOTALLY OBJECTED TO SOLE VENDOR CONTRACTS. LIKE I'VE SAID MANY TIMES, WE ARE A COUNTY OF 10 MILLION PEOPLE. TO HAVE A SOLE-VENDOR CONTRACT IS ASININE. THE SAME WAY THAT MS. MOLINA NOT LISTENING TO THE PUBLIC IS ASININE. THIS CONTRACT IS VERY CONCERNING. AND IT WAS A VERY GOOD OP ED FROM JIM NEWTON ON THE L.A. TIMES. AND IT'S TOTALLY CORRECT WHAT HE POINT OUT. AND I THINK IT'S TIME THAT WE STOP THAT. YOU KNOW, I BROUGHT THE ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES ABOUT THE COMMISSION ON H.I.V. BUNDLING CONTRACT, YOU KNOW. ON TAPE NEGOTIATING TO CHANGE THE RATING FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER AND THEN BUNDLE THE CONTRACT. THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. THIS HAVE TO CHANGE. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF DOING THE JOB WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE, OKAY? AND ON S-2, YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE ME A LITTLE MORE TIME?
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: YES, S-2, GO ON.
DR. GENEVIEVE CLAVREUL: ON S-2, I AM CONCERNED THAT, YOU KNOW, THE BURN UNIT IS STILL DECREASING ADMISSION EVERY MONTH, YOU KNOW. WE ARE LOWER THAN EVER AND IT IS GOING DOWN THREE MONTHS IN A ROW. WE NEED TO DO A BETTER MARKETING OF THAT WONDERFUL BURN UNIT BECAUSE I'M SURE A LOT OF PEOPLE COULD BENEFIT FROM IT. AND BY THE WAY, I WANT TO COMPLIMENT THE NURSING DIRECTOR MISS _________ BIRDWICH AND HER TEAM, THEY WERE VERY NICE AND PROVIDED ME WITH ALL THE TESTS THAT I HAD ASKED FOR ABOUT THE NURSING TESTS AND THEY ARE TOTALLY APPROPRIATE. THEY ARE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB AND I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR COOPERATION.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. I AGREE. THIS REALLY DOESN'T PASS THE SMELL TEST. I HAVE SERIOUS RESERVATIONS. AND AGAIN I JUST HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON? AND THE BACK-DOOR MANIPULATIONS THAT COULD BE TAKING PLACE MAYBE NOT BUT I JUST HAVE CONCERNS AND NEEDS TO BE FULL PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON THIS ISSUE. OUR CITIES, OUR SHERIFF, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, OUR MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, FIRST RESPONDERS HAVING WORKED TOGETHER FOR SO LONG UNDER A PROCESS THAT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN FLAWED FROM THE BEGINNING AND YET NOBODY KNEW ABOUT IT. AND HAS THERE BEEN PRECEDENT WITH OTHER CONTRACTS BEING AWARDED? I DON'T KNOW. AND THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE BEING RAISED, HAVE BEEN RAISED AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE RAISED UNTIL WE GET THE FINAL ANSWER TO THOSE QUESTIONS. BUT THAT WILL BE REFERRED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. EXECUTIVE SESSION. THAT WAS GOING TO TO BE ON CLOSED SESSION. TO RECEIVE AND FILE. S-2 MOTION BY SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY. SECOND TO RECEIVE AND FILE WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. ON ITEM S-1, DUE TO THE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS THAT WE HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE SET TIME LIMITS EARLY SO THAT WE WON'T BE ACCUSED OF NOT HAVING FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME FOR BOTH SIDES OR ALL SIDES TO BE HEARD. TO CLARIFY THE ORDER OF PUBLIC HEARING --
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: MR. MAYOR, COULD I ASK TO INTERRUPT. COULD WE GET THE CONVERSATION IN THE ROOM TO STOP? (GAVEL).
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: TO CLARIFY THE ORDER OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND RULES REGARDING PLANS THAT MAY BE SUBMITTED FOR THE SEPTEMBER 6TH PUBLIC HEARING ON PLANS, THERE ARE NUMEROUS SPEAKERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS. SO WE'RE GOING TO FIRST ASK THAT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISISON, CURT PEDERSON OF THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMISSION WILL PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION AND THEIR FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS. AND THEN JUSTIN LEVITT WILL PROVIDE A 15-MINUTE OVERVIEW OF PLANS S-1 AMENDED WHICH WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY A MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSION. AND THEN LAURA BRILL, THE LEGAL COUNSEL, WILL PROVIDE A 15-MINUTE OVERVIEW OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. AND THEN AFTER THOSE STATEMENTS, THEN IT'S TIME FOR ORAL REQUESTS. EACH SUPERVISOR MAY DIRECT COUNTY STAFF TO SET ANY PLANS FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS ON SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2011 AND TO PREPARE THE COMPANY STAFF ANALYSIS AND PROPOSED ORDINANCE. THAT MAY BE DONE EITHER ORALLY, TODAY OR NEXT WEEK AT THE BOARD MEETING. PLANS WILL THEN BE CONSIDERED DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 6TH. AFTER THE SUPERVISORS SUBMIT ANY PLANS THAT THEY HAVE, WE WILL FIRST HEAR FROM ANY OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE AUDIENCE. THEN WE WILL DESIGNATE ONE HOUR EACH FOR EACH SIDE. THAT WILL BE ONE HOUR EACH FOR EACH SIDE. AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT SOME OTHER PLAN. AND AS I SAID, GIVEN THE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS THAT WE HAVE, IT IS RECOMMENDED WE HAVE A ONE-MINUTE TIME LIMIT AND THAT THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO HAVE SUPPORTIVE VIEWS OF A SPEAKER, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS AND THOSE WHO DON'T, YOU CAN REFRAIN FROM THAT. SO AT THIS TIME, WE WILL CALL UPON SACHI TO SWEAR IN EVERYBODY BEFORE WE CALL.
SUP. KNABE: MR. MAYOR JUST ON CLARIFICATION. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME CONFUSION. S-1 MEANS A SET ITEM ON THE BOARD. AND SOME PEOPLE SIGNED UP EITHER OPPOSED OR SUPPORT S-1. AND IT'S NOT THE S-1 PLAN. IT'S A SET ITEM FOR THE BOARD. A-2 IS STILL THERE AND S-1. SO THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION. SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO CLARIFY THAT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND DIG OUT THE OPPOSE AND SUPPORTS.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: GOOD POINT. OKAY, SACHI?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: SO THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING FOR CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE REDISTRICTING PLAN SUBMITTED BY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE. ALL THOSE WHO PLAN TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE BOARD, PLEASE STAND AND RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND TO BE SWORN IN ON ITEM S-1. IN THE TESTIMONY YOU MAY GIVE BEFORE THIS BOARD, DO YOU SOLEMNLY AFFIRM TO TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP YOU GOD?
SPEAKER: WE DO.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: THANK YOU, YOU MAY BE SEATED.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY. MR. PEDERSON.
CURT PEDERSON: GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR AND HONORABLE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS CURT PEDERSON. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ELECTED CHAIR OF THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE. THE BOARD ESTABLISHED THE B.R.C. ON NOVEMBER 16, 2010. IT CONSISTED OF 10 VOTING MEMBERS AND 10 ALTERNATES NOMINATED BY EACH MEMBER OF THE BOARD AND APPOINTED BY THE ENTIRE BOARD. I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO HONORABLY SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE OVER THE PAST FIVE MONTHS. I THANK THEM FOR THEIR DEDICATION, COURTESY, PROFESSIONALISM AND WISDOM. THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE FROM THE FIRST DISTRICT: SHAWN ANDRETTI, STEVE REYES, ALMA MARTINEZ AND LUIS OLIAGAY. FROM THE SECOND DISTRICT WAS THERESA HOLDERMAN, WHO WAS THE VICE CHAIR, JOHN CHOY, JESUS ESCADON, AND VINCENT HARRIS. FROM THE THIRD DISTRICT WAS THE HONORABLE TERRY FREEDMAN. KEVIN EMICIBO, FREDDIE FLORES, AND ANN HOLLISTER. FROM THE FOURTH DISTRICT WAS HEREBY HOTINAKA, RANDALL HERNANDEZ, STEVE NAPOLITANO AND MYSELF. AND FROM THE FIFTH DISTRICT WAS ALLEN HATHENBLUM, DR. RICHARD SON, BRIAN MEHINA, AND MARIA SAY. AS INSTRUCTED BY YOUR BOARD, THE B.R.C. WAS TASKED WITH EXAMINING THE EXISTING SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS BOUNDARIES AND DETERMINED BASED ON THE 2010 CENSUS POPULATION DATA AND APPLICABLE LEGAL STANDARDS IF AND HOW THE DISTRICT SHOULD BE ADJUSTED TO ACCOUNT FOR POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES. YOUR BOARD ALSO APPROVED A BROAD AND INCLUSIVE PUBLIC ACCESS PLAN FOR THE B.R.C. TO SOLICIT THE LIGHTEST PRACTICAL PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THIS IMPORTANT PROCESS. B.R.C. RECOMMENDS TO YOUR BOARD RESOLVING FROM THIS PUBLIC VIEW AND PROCESS WERE TO BE COMPLETED BUY AUGUST 1ST. I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT ON JULY 13TH, 2011, THE B.R.C. VOTED TO RECOMMEND A REDISTRICTING PLAN FOR YOUR BOARD'S CONSIDERATION. BEFORE I DISCUSS THE B.R.C.'S FINAL RECOMMENDATION, I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE YOUR BOARD WITH SOME BACKGROUND ON HOW THE B.R.C. CAME TO ITS FINAL RECOMMENDATION. IN LATE MARCH, AFTER THE CENSUS BUREAU RELEASED THE 2010 CENSUS DATA, COUNTY STAFF PROVIDED THE B.R.C. WITH A BENCHMARK REPORT THAT SHOWED THE 2010 CENSUS DATA WITH THE CURRENT SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS. THE TOTAL COUNTY POPULATION GREW BY 299,267. SINCE THE LAST CENSUS IN 2000. WITH A TOTAL COUNTY POPULATION OF 9.81 MILLION, THE IDEAL POPULATION FOR EACH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT WOULD BE 1.96 MILLION. HOWEVER, BASED ON DIFFERENTIAL POPULATION CHANGES AMONG THE DISTRICTS OVER THE PAST YEARS, THEY HAVE GROWN OUT OF BALANCE WITH A TOTAL DEVIATION OF 9.97 PERCENT. IN 2001, THE BOARD APPROVED REDISTRICTING PLAN REFLECTED A 1.43 PERCENT TOTAL DEVIATION. TOTAL DEVIATION IS A SPAN BETWEEN THE DISTRICT WITH THE HIGHEST OVERPOPULATION AND THE DISTRICT WITH THE HIGHEST UNDERPOPULATION. BASED ON THIS INFORMATION, THE B.R.C. BELIEVED THE BOUNDARY CHANGES WERE NEEDED. AS I MENTIONED, THE KEY FOCUS OF THE B.R.C., AS INSTRUCTED BY YOUR BOARD WITH THE ADOPTION OF THE PUBLIC ACCESS PLAN WAS TO SOLICIT AND ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN EACH STEP OF THE COMMITTEE'S PROCESS. THE COMMITTEE DID NOT TAKE THIS CHARGE LIGHTLY. THE COMMITTEE'S PUBLIC OUTREACH INCLUDED AT LEAST TWO COMMUNITY OUTREACH MEETINGS IN EACH OF THE DISTRICTS, WHICH TOOK PLACE AT INFORMAL SETTINGS IN VARIOUS COMMUNITIES, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE PROCESS AND SOLICITING COMMENT AND INPUT. ADDITIONALLY, 15 PUBLIC HEARINGS OF THE COMMITTEE WHERE FORMAL BUSINESS WAS CONDUCTED AND AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO THE PUBLIC WAS AFFORDED. A PUBLIC REDISTRICTING WEBSITE WAS ESTABLISHED. THIS WEBSITE INCLUDED VAST INFORMATION ON THE B.R.C. AND THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS. THE WEBSITE HAD OVER 30,000 UNIQUE VISITORS FROM MID-MARCH TO MID-JULY. THE WEBSITE INCLUDED AGENDAS AND NOTES OF ALL COMMUNITY MEETINGS, B.R.C. MEETING AGENDAS, DOCUMENTS AND MINUTES; CALENDAR MEETINGS; AND IMPORTANT DATES. REDISTRICTING LAWS AND PRINCIPLES; REDISTRICTING DATA; REPORTS ON ALL PUBLIC PLANS SUBMITTED; AND ALL CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMENTS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC. PUBLIC OUTREACH ALSO INCLUDED THE AVAILABILITY OF ONLINE REDISTRICTING SOFTWARE PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE WHERE THE PUBLIC HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP AND SUBMIT REDISTRICTING PLANS TO THE B.R.C.'S CONSIDERATION. AS A RESULT, THE COMMITTEE WAS PRESENTED WITH 19 REDISTRICTING PLANS. OUTREACH ALSO INCLUDED THE DISSEMINATION OF REDISTRICTING INFORMATION AND NOTICES THROUGH PRESS RELEASE AND ADVISORIES OF SCORES OF LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS, EMAILS TO THE EVER GROWING LIST OF INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND NUMEROUS GOVERNMENT JURISDICTIONS. ANOTHER KEY FOCUS WOULD BE OUR CONSIDERATION OF APPLICABLE LAW, POLICY CONSIDERATIONS AND RELEVANT LEGAL PRECEDENT. AMONG THESE, THE KEY CONSIDERATION WAS TO EQUALIZE THE POPULATION AMONG THE DISTRICTS AS REQUIRED BY THE 14TH AMENDMENT OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT REQUIRES THE ELECTORAL DISTRICTS TO BE AFFORDED A QUALITY REPRESENTATION TO THEIR RESIDENTS. THIS IS THE ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE PRINCIPLE. IN ADDITION, THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION REQUIRES THE SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS TO BE NEARLY AS EQUAL IN POPULATION AS MAY BE. ANOTHER KEY LEGAL CONSIDERATION WAS SECTION 2 OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. THIS SECTION PROHIBITS ANY PRACTICE OR PROCEDURE INTERACTING WITH SOCIAL AND OTHER HISTORICAL CONDITIONS THAT IMPAIRS THE ABILITY OF MINORITY VOTERS TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF THEIR CHOICE ON AN EQUAL BASIS WITH OTHER VOTERS. CONSIDERATION WAS ALSO GIVEN TO THE COUNTY CHARTER, WHICH PROVIDES THE FIVE SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS WITH EACH SUPERVISOR RESIDING IN THEIR DISTRICT. THE STATE ELECTION CODE WAS CONSIDERED, AS WELL, WHICH PROVIDES THAT IN ESTABLISHING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE DISTRICTS, THE BOARD MAY GIVE CONSIDERATION TO THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: TOPOGRAPHY, GEOGRAPHY, COHESIVENESS, CONTINUITY, INTEGRITY, AND COMPACTNESS OF TERRITORY AND COMMUNITY OF INTERESTS OF THE DISTRICTS. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE B.R.C. WAS PRESENTED WITH 19 REDISTRICTING PLANS FOR CONSIDERATION. OF THESE, 17 RECEIVED FULL ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION AT B.R.C. MEETINGS. REGARDING THE TWO THAT WERE NOT REVIEWED, ONE REFLECTED 16 DISTRICTS, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE A VOTER-APPROVED CHARTER AMENDMENT AND ONE WAS RESCINDED AFTER THE AUTHOR SUBMITTED A REVISED PLAN. AFTER CAREFUL REVIEW OF THE 17 PLANS, ALONG WITH THE CONSIDERATION OF THE PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND CORRESPONDENCE PROVIDED TO THE B.R.C. OVER THE PAST FIVE MONTHS, THE COMMITTEE REQUESTED CONSIDERATION OF TWO ADDITIONAL PLANS. THE FIRST REQUEST WITH CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BENCHMARK OR CURRENT A-1, PLAN A-1. STAFF WILL PROVIDE A MORE DETAILED PRESENTATION ON THIS PLAN AT THE CONCLUSION OF MY REMARKS. BUT THIS REVISED PLAN MOVED TWO CITIES, WEST COVINA AND SANTA FE SPRINGS, THE UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITY OF SOUTH WHITTIER AND PORTIONS OF THE UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITY OF ROWLAND HEIGHTS AND THE LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY OF WEST HILLS, UNITING THEM IN A SINGLE DISTRICT. TOTAL DEVIATION OF THIS PLAN IS 1.69 PERCENT. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE MOVED IS 150,121. AND THE NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES SPLIT IS 35. THE SECOND REQUEST WAS FOR MINOR ADJUSTMENTS TO A PLAN SUBMITTED BY A COALITION OF COMMUNITY GROUPS, THE L.A. C., B.O.S., AFRICAN-AMERICAN PLAN, WHICH IS DESIGNATED AS S-1. AGAIN, STAFF WILL PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS PLAN IN A MOMENT, BUT IT REFLECTS SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE CURRENT DISTRICTS AND WOULD MOVE ALMOST 3.4 MILLION RESIDENTS TO A NEW DISTRICT. ALSO THE TOTAL DEVIATIONS OF THIS PLAN IS 2.81 PERCENT. AND THE MEMBER OF COMMUNITIES SPLIT IS 34. OUTSIDE COUNSEL PROVIDED THE B.R.C. WITH PRELIMINARY LEGAL ANALYSIS INDICATING THAT NEITHER PLAN APPEARED LIKELY TO VIOLATE APPLICABLE LAWS OR LEGAL PRECEDENT, INCLUDING SECTION 2 OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. COMMITTEE MEMBERS FAVORING THE REVISED A-1 STRESSED CONCERNS OVER THE MAJOR CHANGES IN CURRENT DISTRICTS IF THE REVISED S-1 WERE ADOPTED AND THE RESULTING DISRUPTION IN CURRENT RELATIONSHIPS, COMMUNITIES OF INTERESTS AND VOTING DEFERRAL, WHICH IS DELAYING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO VOTE. THESE MEMBERS ALSO CITED THE OVERWHELMING ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMENTS TO THE B.R.C. THAT RECOMMEND LITTLE IF ANY CHANGE IN THE SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS. COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE REVISED S-1 CITED WHAT THEY BELIEVED WAS AN OVERCONCENTRATION OF HISPANICS IN THE CURRENT FIRST DISTRICT AND THE NEED TO CREATE A SECOND HISPANIC CITIZEN VOTING AGE POPULATION DISTRICT IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 2 OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. THEY ALSO FELT S-1 ACHIEVED OTHER REDISTRICT OBJECTIVES INCLUDING UNITING COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST. AFTER EXTENSIVE DISCUSSION AND RESPECTFUL DEBATE, THE B.R.C. VOTED 6 TO 4 TO NOT RECOMMEND THE REVISED S-1 AND RATHER TO RECOMMEND TO YOUR BOARD THE REVISED A-1, WHICH IS NOW IDENTIFIED AS B.R.C. RECOMMENDED PLAN A-2. B.R.C. RECOMMENDATION IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: A-2 MINIMIZES DISRUPTION AND CHANGE IN CURRENT DISTRICTS. A-2 COMPLIES WITH THE ONE PERSON ONE VOTE PRINCIPLE BY SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING OVERALL POPULATION DEVIATION AMONG THE DISTRICTS. A-2 COMPLIES WITH OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND PRECEDENT. A-2 RESPECTS COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST AND DOES NOT CREATE ANY ADDITIONAL CITY SPLITS AND, FINALLY, A-2 PRESERVES THE ABILITY OF COHESIVE MINORITY GROUPS TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF THEIR CHOICE AND DOES NOT USE RACE AS A PROMINENT FACTOR IN DETERMINING BOUNDARIES. THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. STAFF WILL NOW PROVIDE A MORE DETAILED PRESENTATION ON THE B.R.C. RECOMMENDED PLAN AS WELL AS THE OTHER PLAN VOTED ON BY THE B.R.C., REVISED S-1. AND THEN WE CAN TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU.
MARTIN ZIMMERMAN: GOOD MORNING, SUPERVISORS, MARTIN ZIMMERMAN WITH THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE. WE WERE, ALONG WITH OUR COLLEAGUES AND COUNTY COUNSEL AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE BOARD, INTERNAL SERVICES AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS, WE WERE STAFFED TO THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE DURING THEIR DELIBERATIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE JUST A FEW SLIDES WHICH DEPICT AND ILLUSTRATE WHAT COMMISSION CHAIR PETTERSON WAS REFERENCING IN HIS PRESENTATION. THE FIRST CHART HERE SHOWS THE ENTIRE COUNTY AND THE PROPOSED BOUNDARIES UNDER THE B.R.C.-RECOMMENDED PLAN A-2. SO WE HAVE A PICTURE OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY. NOW, THE AREAS THAT ARE PROPOSED TO MOVE FROM ONE DISTRICT TO ANOTHER ARE OUTLINED IN RED. AND CERTAINLY AT THIS SCALE, IT'S KIND OF HARD TO SEE, SO WE HAVE SOME CLOSER SNAPSHOTS THAT WE WILL SHOW YOU NOW. SO THIS IS THE EASTERN SAN GABRIEL VALLEY. LET ME GET OUT MY LITTLE POINTER. SO IN TEMPLETION OF AREAS MOVED UNDER A-2. FIRST IS WEST COVINA. IT IS PROPOSED TO MOVE FROM THE FIFTH DISTRICT TO THE FIRST DISTRICT. ALONG WITH THAT, YOU SEE AREA DOWN HERE. THIS IS PART OF THE UNINCORPORATED ROWLAND HEIGHTS COMMUNITY. AND IT IS PROPOSED TO MOVE FROM THE FIRST DISTRICT INTO THE FOURTH DISTRICT. OVER HERE, YOU SEE THE CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS, AND THAT IS PROPOSED TO MOVE FROM THE FIRST DISTRICT TO THE FOURTH DISTRICT. AND THEN FINALLY YOU SEE THE AREA HERE OF SOUTH WHITTIER, PART OF THE UNINCORPORATED SOUTH WHITTIER COMMUNITY, AND THAT IS AGAIN PROPOSED TO MOVE FROM THE FIRST DISTRICT TO THE FOURTH DISTRICT. SO THIS AREA IN HERE ENCOMPASSES BOTH SANTA FE SPRINGS AND SOUTH WHITTIER. AND THEN WE HAVE A BLOWUP OF THE OTHER AREA. THIS IS THE OTHER PROPOSED CHANGE IN A-2. AND IT IS A PART OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY COMMUNITY OF WEST HILLS MOVING FROM THE FIFTH TO THE THIRD. YES. FIFTH DISTRICT TO THE THIRD DISTRICT. SO THOSE ARE THE CHANGES. THE NEXT MAP? THIS DEPICTS FOR YOU THE ACTUAL CHANGES IN POPULATION UNDER A-2. SO ACROSS HERE YOU SEE THE DISTRICTS WHERE POPULATION MOVED FROM. AND ALONG HERE YOU SEE THE POPULATION MOVE TO. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IN DISTRICT 1, 39,520 PEOPLE WERE MOVED FROM DISTRICT 1 TO DISTRICT 4. AND THAT'S PREDOMINANTLY SANTA FE SPRINGS AND SOUTH WHITTIER. AND THEN OVER HERE YOU SEE THAT 106,869 WERE MOVED FROM THE FIFTH DISTRICT TO THE FIRST DISTRICT, THAT'S PREDOMINANTLY WEST COVINA. AND THEN AS CHAIR PETTERSON INDICATED, THE TOTAL POPULATION MOVE FROM ONE DISTRICT TO ANOTHER UNDER THIS PLAN IS 150,000. THIS CHART INDICATES THE POPULATION AMONG THE DISTRICTS AND THE DEVIATIONS. SO BACK HERE, THIS IS THE PLAN THAT THE BOARD ADOPTED IN 2001, ACHIEVING A TOTAL DEVIATION OF 1.4. THIS IS THE SITUATION THAT PRESENTED THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE THIS YEAR, SO YOU HAD EXISTING DISTRICTS, BUT 2010 CENSUS FIGURES. AND SO OBVIOUSLY THEY HAD GROWN OUT OF BALANCE OVER THE 10 YEARS. AND THEY HAD A NEW POPULATION DEVIATION OF 9.97. WITH PLAN A-2 AND THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT I JUST ENUMERATED, YOU NOW HAVE A DEVIATION OF 1.69. THIS CHART INDICATES RACE AND ETHNICITY CATEGORIES AMONG THE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS, AND THESE ARE THE CATEGORIES USED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. AND IT'S VOTING AGE CITIZENS BY THOSE CATEGORIES BY DISTRICT. SO IN THIS COLUMN HERE, YOU SEE THAT WE HAVE AN ESTIMATED 5.6 MILLION OF THE 9.8 MILLION TOTAL POPULATION, ESTIMATE OF 5.6 MILLION IS CITIZEN VOTING AGE POPULATION. AND THEN IT GOES DISTRICT, I'M SORRY, IT GOES CATEGORY BY CATEGORY. HISPANIC, WHITE, AFRICAN-AMERICAN, ASIAN, ETCETERA. AND IT GOES DOWN DISTRICTS 1 THROUGH 5 AS THE DIFFERENT PERCENTAGES IN EACH DISTRICT. THAT CONCLUDES THE STAFF PRESENTATION ON PLAN A-2.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY. JUSTIN LEVITT? JUSTIN LEVITT WILL NOW PROVIDE A 15-MINUTE OVERVIEW. YES.
JUSTIN LEVITT: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. MAYOR, SUPERVISORS. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU HERE TODAY. MY NAME IS JUSTIN LEVITT, I'M AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF LAW AT LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL HERE IN LOS ANGELES AND I'M HERE TODAY TO PRESENT TO YOU THE FINDINGS OF THE MINORITY REPORT AS MR. PEDERSON MENTIONED, THERE WAS A DISSENTING VIEW FROM THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE THAT VERY STRONGLY EMPHASIZED THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. AND TODAY, IN PRESENTING THAT MINORITY REPORT, I'D LIKE TO FOCUS ON OUR CONCLUSIONS OF WHAT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT REQUIRES OF YOU AND REQUIRES OF THE L.A. COUNTY BOARD IN MAKING THIS DECISION SO THAT YOU CAN BE AS INFORMED AS POSSIBLE. AND I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE REPORT THAT WE PREPARED HAS SINCE BEEN UPDATED AND I THINK YOU'VE ALL BEEN PROVIDED WITH A COPY OF THOSE UPDATED MATERIALS RUNS TO 414 PAGES OF VERY CAREFUL ANALYSIS ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT THE SITUATION IS IN LOS ANGELES AND WHAT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT WOULD REQUIRE. AND IT'S THE MINORITY VIEW AND MY VIEW AS A PROFESSOR OF VOTING RIGHTS LAW AND OF ELECTION LAW THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RISKS LEGAL ACTION THAT COULD JEOPARDIZE ALL OF THE VERY HARD WORK OF THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE AND MUCH OF THE HARD WORK OF INDIVIDUALS COMING HERE TO TESTIFY BECAUSE THERE'S A VERY REAL CONCERN HERE ABOUT MEETING THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965. UNDER BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL LAW, THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT IS OF TOP PRIORITY, IS OF PREMIER PRIORITY FOR THIS COUNTY BOARD IN THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS. BOTH FEDERL LAW IN ITSELF AND STATE LAW REFERENCING THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT REPEATEDLY REAFFIRMS THAT IT IS AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS. AS YOU KNOW, THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT CONSIDERS PLANS THAT INTENTIONALLY DILUTE MINORITY VOTING POWER. THAT'S WHAT THE GARZA LITIGATION OF THE 1990S WAS ABOUT. THAT'S IN PART THE REASON FOR THE CONSENT DECREE LEADING THROUGH THE 2000 CYCLE. NOW HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THE COUNTY BOARD IS BEING CALLED ON TO DRAW DISTRICTS, FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN YET SUBJECT TO A LAWSUIT OR UNDER FEDERAL SUPERVISION, I WANT TO FOCUS ON A DIFFERENT OBLIGATION OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. AND THAT IS THE OBLIGATION TO AVOID PLANS THAT HAVE THE EFFECT IN THE TOTALITY OF CIRCUMSTANCES OF DILUTING VOTING POWER OF MINORITIES. AND IN PARTICULAR OF RELEVANCE TO YOU HERE TODAY OF RELEVANCE TO ALL OF THE VOTERS OF LOS ANGELES, THE MINORITY GROUP THAT I'LL BE SPEAKING OF LATINO MINORITY GROUP WITHIN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. THE DATA THAT I'VE SEEN, VERY CAREFUL, AGAIN, 414 PAGES OF INFORMATION. AND THAT INCLUDES ALL OF THE DATA THAT'S BEEN MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE, MOST OF WHICH WE PREPARED ON OUR OWN AND OFFERED TO THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE AND OFFERED TO THE SUPERVISORS NOW, INDICATES THAT THERE IS A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO CREATE TWO DISTRICTS IN WHICH THE LATINO VOTERS HAVE THE EFFECTIVE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF CHOICE. THAT MEANS TWO DISTRICTS WHERE THE LATINO POPULATION RELIABLY, NOT ALWAYS, BUT RELIABLY CONTROLS THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION. I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT REQUIRES ANY DRAWING OF DISTRICTS WITHIN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, THEN THE NUMBERS FURTHER INDICATE THAT YOU MUST DRAW TWO DISTRICTS WHERE LATINO VOTERS HAVE THE EFFECTIVE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF CHOICE. THAT IS, THE SAME STATISTICS THAT SHOW AN OBLIGATION TO PREPARE SOME DISTRICTS UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT INDICATE A CLEAR OBLIGATION TO US AND TO THE MINORITY THAT THERE IS AN OBLIGATION TO DRAW TWO DISTRICTS FOR LATINOS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF CHOICE. I'D LIKE TO WALK VERY BRIEFLY THROUGH THAT CONCLUSION, I KNOW YOU HAVE LEARNED COUNCIL WHO HAVE BEEN ADVISING YOU THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. I WANT TO PRESENT OUR CONCLUSIONS ON WHY WE BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE CASE. THERE ARE THREE THRESHOLD CONDITIONS BEFORE THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT IMPOSES AN OBLIGATION. AND THE DATA WE'VE SEEN SHOWS THAT ALL THREE THRESHOLD CONDITIONS ARE MET HERE. FIRST, THE GROUP IN QUESTION HAS TO BE LARGE ENOUGH TO BE A MAJORITY IN A COMPACT DISTRICT. AND GIVEN THE STATISTICS INCLUDING SOME OF THE STATISTICS PREPARED BY YOUR STAFF, THE LATINO COMMUNITY IS LARGE ENOUGH TO BE A MAJORITY IN TWO COMPACT DISTRICTS WITHIN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES. PLAN S-2 ISN'T THE ONLY CONFIGURATION THAT MAKES THIS POSSIBLE, BUT IT DEMONSTRATES THAT THIS IS IN FACT POSSIBLE. ONE GROUP, ONE BRANCH OF THIS COMMUNITY RUNS ROUGHLY FROM BELL NORTH AND WEST ALONG THE LOS ANGELES RIVER, ALONG THE 101 AND THE 5 FREEWAYS INTO THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY. ONE GROUP, ONE COMMUNITY RUNS ROUGHLY FROM DOWNEY NORTH AND EAST ALONG THE SAN GABRIEL RIVER AND THE 605 INTO THE EASTERN PART OF LOS ANGELES. THOSE ARE TWO DISTINCT COMMUNITIES. BOTH ARE COMPACT UNDER PREVAILING COURT TESTS. IN BOTH AREAS, IN BOTH OF THESE AREAS LATINOS MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF THE CITIZENS VOTING AGE POPULATION. THAT'S THE FIRST THRESHOLD FOR INCLUSION UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. THE SECOND AND THIRD THRESHOLDS DEAL WITH POLARIZED VOTING. WHETHER OR NOT LATINOS USUALLY VOTE TOGETHER FOR THE SAME TYPES OF CANDIDATES, WHETHER OR NOT NON-LATINOS, THE REST OF THE POPULATION, USUALLY VOTES DIFFERENTLY FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF CANDIDATES. AND WHETHER LATINO CANDIDATES ARE IN THE NORMAL COURSE, WHETHER THEY ARE USUALLY, NOT ALWAYS, BUT USUALLY DEFEATED OR WOULD BE DEFEATD IF DISTRICTS WERE NOT DRAWN SPECIFICALLY TO PROTECT THEIR VOTING CHOICES. THOSE ARE THE THRESHOLD TESTS UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND WE BELIEVE THEY'RE MET. COURTS HAVE SAID REPEATEDLY THAT IN EVALUATING LATINO OPPORTUNITIES, NOT ALL RACES ARE CREATED EQUAL. YOU CANNOT MERELY LOOK TO EVERY ELECTION THAT'S EVER OCCURRED WITHIN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES BORDERS. THE MOST PROBATIVE ELECTIONS FOR DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT THE LATINO MINORITY VOTES IN A POLARIZED FASHION, WHETHER THE REST OF THE VOTERS VOTE IN A POLARIZED FASHION, WHETHER THE LATINOS HAVE THE EFFECTIVE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT CANDIDATES, THE MOST PROBATIVE ELECTIONS ARE ELECTIONS WHERE YOU CAN SEE WHETHER THE VOTERS ARE ACTING PRIMARILY BASED ON RACE OR ETHNICITY. MORE RECENT ELECTIONS ARE BETTER THAN OLDER ELECTIONS. RACES WHERE A LATINO IS RUNNING AGAINST A NON-LATINO ARE BETTER THAN RACES WHERE THERE IS NO LATINO CANDIDATE. RACES WITHOUT PARTISANSHIP IN THE MIX, EITHER PRIMARIES OR NONPARTISAN GENERAL ELECTIONS ARE MORE PROBATIVE. RACES WHERE THERE'S NO INCUMBENT ARE BETTER THAN RACES WHERE THERE IS AN INCUMBENT. THESE ARE ALL TESTS THAT COURTS HAVE CONSISTENTLY SAID POINT TO THE MOST RELIABLE ELECTIONS TMOST MEANINGFUL ELECTIONS ON WHICH TO ASSESS RESPONSIBILITY UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. DOESN'T MEAN THAT OTHER ELECTIONS ARE WORTHLESS. BUT THE ELECTIONS THAT MATTER ARE A PARTICULAR SET WHERE YOU CAN REALLY SEE HOW THE VOTERS PREFER TO VOTE. AND THE COURTS HAVE ALSO SAID THIS IS VERY, VERY CLEAR THAT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT CONSIDERS AGGREGATE TRENDS. NOT WHETHER IN AN ANOMALOUS RACE IN ONE OR TWO CHERRY PICKED RACES, WHETHER A LATINO CANDIDATE OF CHOICE HAS WON, BUT USUALLY AND NORMALLY ARE THE LATINO CANDIDATES, DO THEY HAVE AN EFFECTIVE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ELECTED. IN 414 PAGES WORTH OF DATA, A POLITICAL SCIENTIST NAMED DR. MATT BARRETO, VERY WELL RENOWNED AND VERY WELL REGARDED, HAS ANALYZED RACES WITHIN L.A. COUNTY FOCUSING ON THE RACES THAT ARE MOST PROBATIVE UNDER THE LEGAL TEST. AND I WANT TO EMPHASIZE UNTIL RIGHT NOW, THIS IS THE ONLY DATA THAT WE HAVE SEEN THAT INDICATES AT ALL WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS AN OBLIGATION UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. THERE IS NO OTHER PUBLIC INFORMATION I'VE SEEN THAT INDICATES WHETHER OR NOT CURRENT VOTING PATTERNS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARE POLARIZED. DR. BARRETO ANALYZED 36 CONTESTS WITHIN L.A. COUNTY OVER THE LAST 16 YEARS. NINETEEN OF THESE CONTESTS WERE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS; THAT IS, FROM 2006 ON, VERY RECENT INDEED. THERE WERE 30 OUT OF THE 36 CASES WHERE THERE WAS A CLEAR LATINO CANDIDATE OF CHOICE, WHERE THE LATINO COMMUNITY PREFERRED ONE PARTICULAR TYPE OF CANDIDATE, AND THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY DID NOT. THREE OF THE RACES WERE VERY ODD IN THAT THERE WAS NO SUBSTANTIAL OPPONENT WHERE A LATINO CANDIDATE OF CHOICE RAN ESSENTIALLY AGAINST NO ONE. AND THOSE RACES SKEWED THE RESULTS BUT ARE STILL MEANINGFUL IN THAT EVEN WHEN THERE WAS NO SUBSTANTIAL OPPONENT, THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT, BETWEEN 40 AND 70 PERCENT OF THE NON-LATINO POPULATIONS PREFERRED TO VOTE AGAINST THE LATINO CANDIDATE OF CHOICE THAN TO VOTE FOR AN OPPONENT WHO REALLY WASN'T RUNNING IN THE RACE. TAKING THOSE SKEWED ELECTIONS OUT OF THE MIX, THERE ARE 27 ELECTIONS REMAINING THAT DR. BARRETO ANALYZED. ON AVERAGE IN THESE RACES, 71 PERCENT OF THE LATINOS PREFERRED THE LATINO CANDIDATE; 70 PERCENT OF NON-LATINOS VOTED AGAINST THE LATINO CANDIDATE. THOSE ARE STARK POLARIZATION NUMBERS. THEY'RE NOT QUITE AS HIGH AS ALABAMA IN THE MID-60S. BUT THEY ARE STILL NEVERTHELESS MEANINGFUL. THEY SHOW THAT A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE LATINO POPULATION PREFERS TO VOTE TOGETHER AND A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE NON-LATINO POPULATION PREFERS TO VOTE AGAINST THOSE CANDIDATES. AND THOSE NUMBERS, 70 FOR, 71 PERCENT AGAINST, THOSE ARE CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATES. IF YOU INCLUDE ALL 36 CONTESTS OVER THE LAST 16 YEARS THAT ARE MOST PROBATIVE FOR THE COURTS, THE AVERAGE VOTE AGAINST LATINO CANDIDATES GOES UP TO 76 PERCENT. IF YOU INCLUDE JUST THE NEWEST ELECTIONS, JUST THE ELECTIONS SINCE 2006, THE AVERAGE VOTE AGAINST A LATINO CANDIDATE GOES UP TO 76 PERCENT. IF YOU INCLUDE THE GOLD STANDARD ELECTIONS, THE ELECTIONS THAT MEAN THE MOST TO THE COURTS, NON-PARTISAN, JUDICIAL ELECTIONS WHERE THERE'S RELATIVELY LITTLE INFORMATION ABOUT EACH CANDIDATE, THE MOST RECENT VERSIONS OF THOSE, 82 PERCENT OF THE NON-LATINO POPULATION VOTES AGAINST THE LATINO POPULATION OF CHOICE. THAT IS TO SAY, IF YOU INCLUDE THE ELECTIONS THAT ARE MORE RELIABLE IN SHOWING POLARIZED VOTING, THE LEVELS OF POLARIZED VOTING RISE. IT'S NOT ENOUGH UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT TO SHOW THAT VOTING IS POLARIZED, ALTHOUGH I THINK IT'S CLEAR THAT IT IS. AND BY THE WAY, THE STATES' REDISTRICTING COMMISSION ALSO COMMISSIONED A STUDY REGARDING LOS ANGELES COUNTY. THEY, TOO, CONCLUDED THAT VOTING WAS STARKLY POLARIZED WITHIN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. AND WHEN THEY WERE DRAWING LINES FOR THE STATE, THEY DREW LINES IN ORDER TO ABIDE BY THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND ABIDE BY THIS FINDING OF POLARIZATION. IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO SHOW THAT VOTING IS POLARIZED. THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT ALSO REQUIRES A SHOWING THAT THE LATINO CANDIDATES' CHOICE USUALLY LOSES. THAT LATINOS VOTE FOR THE LATINO CANDIDATE OF CHOICE. THAT NON-LATINOS VOTE AGAINST THE LATINO CANDIDATE OF CHOICE. AND THAT THIS MEANS THAT THE LATINO POPULATION USUALLY LOSES. AND HERE, TOO, 414 PAGES OF RESEARCH SHOW THIS TO BE THE CASE. IN THE NORMAL COURSE, THE LATINO POPULATION CANNOT ELECT ITS CANDIDATE OF CHOICE WITHIN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. IN THE 27 CONTESTS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THE LATINO-PREFERRED CANDIDATE LOSES 16 OF THOSE RACES. AND 10 OF THE REMAINING RACES THERE ARE FIVE QUESTION MARKS. THIS IS A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE LOSING 16 OUR OF 27 FITS WELL WITHIN THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT PARAMETERS, THAT TRIGGERS AN OBLIGATION UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. BUT THIS IS A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE. IF YOU LOOK MOST RECENTLY SINCE 2006 OF THE 16 RACES THAT I MENTIONED BEFORE, THE LATINO-PREFERRED CANDIDATE LOSES 11 OUT OF 16. THAT IS NOT TO DENY THERE ARE SOME VERY HIGH PROFILE WINS. THE LATINO COMMUNITY HAS HAD SOME SIGNIFICANT SUCCESS. SHERIFF BACA'S RACE IN 1996. MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA'S RACE IN 2005. CITY ATTORNEY DELGADILLO'S RACE IN 2001. SUPERVISOR MOLINA'S RACE FROM A DISTRICT TAILORED TO GIVE THE LATINO COMMUNITY AN OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF CHOICE. BUT THE COURTS ARE ALSO CLEAR THAT A FEW HIGH PROFILE RACES DO NOT DEFEAT THE CONCLUSION THAT LATINOS GENERALLY LOSE MORE THAN THEY WIN WHEN VOTING IS POLARIZED IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. ALSO OF NOTE, THE MOST PROMINENT RACES HERE, MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA AN AND CITY ATTORNEY DELGADILLO WERE RACES WITHIN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES. ASSUMING THAT THAT MATTERED, THE SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS THAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU, A-2 PLAN IN PARTICULAR, SPLITS THE CITY OF L.A., SPLITS THE HEART OF THE L.A. LATINO COMMUNITY INTO FOUR DIFFERENT PIECES. THIS IS QUINTESSENTIAL CRACKING, DIVIDING THE LATINO COMMUNITY UP. SO IF THE CITY OF L.A. WERE MEANINGFUL, WOULD THE CURRENT DISTRICTS DO, WHAT THE A-2 PLAN DOES IS ESSENTIALLY FRACTURE THE VOTING POWER OF THAT COMMUNITY. BUT MORE IMPORTANT, THE WINS OF MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA, THE WINS OF CITY ATTORNEY DELGADILLO DON'T DO ANYTHING FOR THE LATINO COMMUNITY OUTSIDE OF THE CITY BOUNDS. THEY DO NOT GIVE THAT COMMUNITY AN EFFECTIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE VOTERS OF DOWNEY, LYNWOOD, BELLFLOWER, OF NORWALK, OF WHITTIER, OF BURBANK, OF SAN FERNANDO, OF A LOT OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS OUTSIDE OF THE CITY BOUNDS. THE REMAINDER OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, YOU HAVE 400 PAGES ON IT, SPEAKS TO THE TOTALITY OF CIRCUMSTANCES. I THINK IT'S CLEAR THAT IF THERE'S POLARIZED VOTING, IF THE LATINO COMMUNITY LOSES, THERE'S AN OBLIGATION TO DRAW TWO EFFECTIVE DISTRICTS. THIS ALSO SHOWS THAT A-2 DOES NOT MEET THAT GOAL. IF I MIGHT CONTINUE FOR JUST ANOTHER 30 SECONDS, MR. MAYOR.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY, 30 SECONDS, GO.
JUSTIN LEVITT: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE A-2 PLANS FROM 2006 ON, DR. BARRETO HAS CLEARLY SHOWN THAT THE LATINO CANDIDATE OF CHOICE DOES NOT WIN ELECTIONS OUTSIDE OF DISTRICT 1. OUTSIDE OF THE ONE DISTRICT THAT IS DRAWN SPECIFICALLY TO GIVE THE LATINO COMMUNITY AN EFFECTIVE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF CHOICE. IN PARTICULAR, DISTRICT 4, THE LATINO CANDIDATE OF CHOICE LOSES EVERY SINGLE ELECTION. THIS IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE DISTRICT, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE COUNTY BOARD HAS THE OBLIGATION TO DRAW TWO. THAT'S THE SUBSTANCE OF THE MINORITY REPORT AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MS. BRILL, LAURA BRILL OUR LEGAL COUNSEL.
LAURA BRILL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD MORNING, SUPERVISORS. I'M LAURA BRILL OF KENDALL BRILL AND KLIEGER. AND I'VE BEEN ASKED TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF SECTION 2 OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT TO ASSIST YOU IN THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS. BROADLY SPEAKING, SECTION 2 OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT PROHIBITS VOTING PRACTICES THAT DENY OR ABRIDGE THE RIGHT TO VOTE ON A VARIETY OF BASES, INCLUDING RACE AND LANGUAGE MINORITY STATUS. IN THE CONTEXT OF REDISTRICTING, THE SUPREME COURT HAS RECOGNIZED THE CLAIM FOR VOTE DILUTION THAT CAN ARISE FROM THE DRAWING OF DISTRICT LINES OR THE MAINTENANCE OF AT-LARGE VOTING SYSTEMS. A PLAINTIFF SEEKING TO ESTABLISH SUCH A CLAIM HAS TO SHOW THAT THERE ARE THREE PRECONDITIONS THAT ARE SATISFIED AS TO THE DISTRICT LINES THAT ARE CHALLENGED. THE PLAINTIFF THEN HAS THE BURDEN TO GO ON AND SHOW THAT UNDER THE TOTALITY OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES THE CHALLENGED DISTRICT LINES RESULT IN THE MINORITY GROUP HAVING LESS OPPORTUNITY THAN OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ELECTORATE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS AND TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF THEIR CHOICE. THE THREE PRECONDITIONS IN THE SUPREME COURT'S GINGLES CASE, WHICH IS THE LEAD SUPREME COURT CASE ESTABLISHING A VOTE DILUTION CLAIM, ARE THAT THE MINORITY GROUP IS SUFFICIENTLY LARGE AND GEOGRAPHICALLY COMPACT TO CONSTITUTE A MAJORITY IN A SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICT. THE MINORITY GROUP MUST SHOW THAT IT IS POLITICALLY COHESIVE. AND THE MAJORITY, AND THE THIRD PRECONDITION WHICH I'LL GO INTO IN MORE DETAIL FOCUSES ON WHETHER THE MAJORITY VOTES SUFFICIENTLY AS A BLOCK TO ENABLE IT USUALLY TO DEFEAT THE MINORITY'S PREFERRED CANDIDATE. AND THEN THE TOTALITY OF CIRCUMSTANCES TEST GOES ON TO FOCUS ON A VARIETY OF VERY FACT-INTENSIVE INQUIRIES INTO THE POLITICAL AND SOCIAL STATUS OF THE MINORITY GROUP AND THE HISTORY OF THE JURISDICTION INVOLVED. FOLLOWING ON THE PRESENTATION, I WANT TO FOCUS ON GINGLES PRECONDITION THREE AND WHAT IT DOES AND DOES NOT REQUIRE IN TERMS OF CRAFTING DISTRICT LINES. THERE ARE THREE MAIN ISSUES ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 2. IN PARTICULAR THAT SHOULD BE CLARIFIED FOLLOWING PROFESSOR LEVITT'S REMARKS. FIRST IS: WHAT EXACTLY IS THE LEGAL STANDARD THAT A PLAINTIFF NEEDS TO SATISFY UNDER GINGLES PRECONDITION THREE? AND WHAT ELECTIONS ARE RELEVANT TO MEETING THAT STANDARD? THE SECOND IS: WHAT IS MEANT BY THE TERM POLARIZED VOTING? AND WHAT IS ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN THE ANALYSIS? AND THE THIRD IS: WHEN, IF EVER, DOES SECTION 2 REQUIRE THE CREATION OF A MAJORITY/MINORITY DISTRICT? THE GINGLES THIRD PRECONDITION IN THE CONTEXT OF A VOTING RIGHTS ACT SECTION 2 CHALLENGE REQUIRES A PLAINTIFF TO SHOW THAT UNDER THE DISTRICT LINES DRAWN, THE GROUPS' CANDIDATE OF CHOICE IS USUALLY DEFEATED. THE LAW IS VERY CLEAR THAT SECTION 2 DOES NOT CREATE A RIGHT TO CONTROL ELECTION OUTCOMES IN ANY RELEVANT DISTRICT. AND WHEN PROFESSOR LEVITT WAS SPEAKING, HE DESCRIBED THE STANDARD IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT WAYS, SOME OF WHICH ARE CONFUSING. AT ONE POINT HE USED THE TERM-- AT SOME POINTS HE USED THE TERM "EFFECTIVE OPPORTUNITY." OTHERS HE USED THE TERM "RELIABLY CONTROLS THE OUTCOME OF ELECTIONS." AT OTHER TIMES HE USED THE PHRASE "OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF CHOICE." WHAT THE COURTS FOCUS ON IS WHETHER THERE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF CHOICE. SECTION 2 DOES NOT CREATE A RIGHT TO CONTROL ELECTION OUTCOMES. USING THESE TERMS CAN BE CONFUSING. AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND A RIGHT TO CONTROL ELECTION OUTCOMES IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN A MULTI-ETHNIC DISTRICT IN WHICH YOU HAVE NOT JUST A SINGLE MINORITY GROUP, BUT MANY. IF DISTRICTS ARE CRAFTED THAT TO DRAW DISTRICT LINES THAT VIRTUALLY GUARANTEE THE ELECTION OF ONE MINORITY GROUP, THE EFFECT CAN BE THAT THE VOICES OF OTHER MINORITY GROUPS ARE MINIMIZED AND SO AS CAN BE THEIR INFLUENCE. THE NEXT QUESTION IS: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A DISTRICT WHERE A GROUP'S CANDIDATE OF CHOICE IS NOT USUALLY DEFEATED? THE CASES ARE CLEAR THAT THIS IS NOT PURELY A NUMERICAL TEST. THE COURTS DO NOT SIMPLY ADD UP ELECTIONS AND LOOK AT THE WIN COLUMN AND LOOK AT THE LOSS COLUMN AND REACH A RESULT. THE COURTS WEIGH ELECTIONS DIFFERENTLY. SOME OF THE EXAMPLES ARE WHETHER AN ELECTION IS PARTISAN OR NONPARTISAN, WHETHER IT IS LOCAL OR STATEWIDE, WHETHER IT IS RECENT OR IN THE DISTANT PAST, WHETHER IT INVOLVES MINORITIES RUNNING AGAINST NON-MINORITIES OR WHETHER IT INVOLVES CANDIDATES WHO ARE ONLY NON-MINORITIES. THE PRESENCE OF AN INCUMBENT VERSUS AN ELECTION IN WHICH THERE IS AN OPEN SEAT IS ALSO A RELEVANT FACTOR. AND THE SIMILARITY OF THE OFFICE INVOLVED, INCLUDING WHETHER IT IS A JUDICIAL ELECTION OR A POLITICAL ELECTION. AND LOOKING FOR SIMILARITIES IN THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELECTIONS THAT ARE AT ISSUE. SO EVEN THOUGH THE TERM "USUALLY DEFEATS" SOUNDS RATHER SIMPLE, THE ANALYSIS ENDS UP BEING OFTEN QUITE FACT-INTENSIVE WITH COURTS DETERMINING HOW TO WEIGH DIFFERENT ELECTIONS AND HOW THEY BEAR UPON THE PARTICULAR CHALLENGE BEFORE THEM. IN TERMS OF WHAT ELECTIONS ARE RELEVANT, BOTH ELECTIONS IN THE NINTH CIRCUIT HAS HELD THIS RATHER CLEARLY, BOTH ELECTIONS INVOLVING MINORITIES AND NONMINORITIES ARE RELEVANT AS ARE ELECTIONS INVOLVING NO MINORITY CANDIDATE. AND THE NINTH CIRCUIT HELD THAT IN THE RUIZ VERSUS SANTA MARIA CASE AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS HAVE HELD SIMILARLY. THE NEXT QUESTION I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS AND TO CLARIFY IS WHAT IS MEANT BY THE TERM "POLARIZED VOTING"? AND WHAT IS ITS RELEVANCE? SPECIFICALLY, IF THERE IS SOME DEGREE OF POLARIZED VOTING, DOES THAT MEAN THAT THE JURISDICTION IN QUESTION HAS AN OBLIGATION TO CREATE A MAJORITY/MINORITY DISTRICT IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 2? POLARIZED VOTING REFERS TO A CIRCUMSTANCE IN WHICH, ON AGGREGATE, THE MEMBERS OF DIFFERENT RACIAL OR OTHER GROUPS PREFER DIFFERENT CANDIDATES. SOMETIMES YOU WILL SEE OR HEAR THE TERM USED IN A VERY CONFUSING WAY AS A KIND OF SHORTHAND TO REFER TO THE SECOND AND THIRD PRECONDITIONS OF THE GINGLES TEST COMBINED; THAT IS, TO REFER TO MINORITY GROUP COHESION AND THE MAJORITY BLOC VOTING THAT RELIABLY DEFEATS THE MINORITY-PREFERRED CANDIDATE. THIS CAN BE CONFUSING BECAUSE GINGLES REQUIRES MUCH MORE THAN THE SHOWING OF SOME DEGREE OF POLARIZED VOTING, AS INDICATED BEFORE IT REQUIRES SUCH AN EXTENT OF POLARIZED VOTING THAT THE MINORITY CANDIDATE OF CHOICE WILL USUALLY BE DEFEATED. TO PUT IT ANOTHER WAY, POLARIZED VOTING CAN EXIST IN DIFFERENT DEGREES. AND THE FACT THAT THERE MAY BE SOME DEGREE OF POLARIZED VOTING, EVEN STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT POLARIZED VOTING, IS NOT ENOUGH TO SATISFY GINGLES. I THINK AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE HELPFUL. IF YOU HAVE MINORITIES WITH AN 80 PERCENT PREFERENCE FOR A PARTICULAR CANDIDATE AND YOU HAVE NON-MINORITIES VOTING FOR THAT CANDIDATE AT APPROXIMATELY A 40 PERCENT RATE, IT MAY BE FACTUALLY ACCURATE TO SAY THAT YOU HAVE SOME DEGREE OF POLARIZED VOTING. IT MAY EVEN BE STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT POLARIZED VOTING. BUT DEPENDING UPON THE COMPOSITION OF THE DISTRICT AND THE ELECTION INVOLVED, THAT BALANCE MAY RESULT IN VICTORIES FOR MINORITY-PREFERRED CANDIDATES, AND THEREFORE THAT DEGREE OF POLARIZED VOTING WOULD NOT BE LEGALLY SIGNIFICANT IN TERMS OF EVIDENCING A SECTION 2 VIOLATION; RATHER, IT WOULD SHOW THAT THERE WAS SUFFICIENT CROSSOVER VOTING SO THAT THE MINORITY-PREFERRED CANDIDATE HAS A POSSIBILITY OF BEING ELECTED IN THAT DISTRICT. AND GINGLES' PRECONDITION THREE LOOKS AT THE ABILITY TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF CHOICE, NOT MERELY TO WHETHER THERE IS SOME DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF VOTING PREFERENCES. AS THE ABOVE EXAMPLE SUGGESTS, JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE SOME DEGREE OF POLARIZED VOTING DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE IS AN OBLIGATION TO CREATE A MAJORITY/MINORITY DISTRICT. TO BE SURE, THERE MAY BE TIMES WHERE SECTION 2 MIGHT REQUIRE THE DRAWING OF SUCH A DISTRICT. THAT COULD BE WHERE THE POLARIZED VOTING IS SO EXTREME THAT WITHOUT IT, THE MINORITY-PREFERRED CANDIDATES CANNOT GET ELECTED OR POTENTIALLY AS A REMEDY WHEN VIOLATIONS HAVE BEEN FOUND. BUT IN GENERAL, COURTS HAVE MADE CLEAR THAT REDISTRICTING BODIES MAY DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES HOW TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 2. I DO WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT SECTION 2 DOES NOT PROHIBIT THE CREATION OF MAJORITY/MINORITY DISTRICTS. THAT'S CERTAINLY AN OPTION THAT REDISTRICTING BODIES HAVE. IT'S JUST THAT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT DOES NOT REQUIRE IT OR EVEN NECESSARILY PREFER IT AS A MEANS OF COMPLYING WITH SECTION 2. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT THE SUPERVISORS MAY HAVE, OR, MR. MAYOR, IF YOU'D LIKE ME TO DISCUSS THE REPORTS THAT PROFESSOR LEVITT HAS REFERRED TO, I'D BE HAPPY TO DO THAT.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT A DEBATE ON ISSUES. BUT I THINK AT THIS TIME, THANK YOU, DR. LEVITT. I THINK AT THIS TIME EACH SUPERVISOR MAY DIRECT COUNTY STAFF TO SET ANY PLAN FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 6TH AND TO PREPARE THE COMPANY STAFF ANALYSIS AND PROPOSED ORDINANCE. THIS MAY BE DONE ORALLY OR NEXT WEEK AT THE BOARD MEETING WHERE THE PLANS WILL BE CONSIDERED DURING THE HEARING FOR SEPTEMBER 6TH.
SUP. KNABE: MR. MAYOR?
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SUPERVISOR KNABE?
SUP. KNABE: IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR, THE 2010 CENSUS DATA WAS RELEASED INDICATING THAT THE COUNTY'S TOTAL POPULATION GREW BY NEARLY 300,000 DURING THE LAST DECADE. THE CENSUS DATA ALSO SHOWED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN POPULATION SHIFTS AMONG OUR VARIOUS SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS. SOME DISTRICTS SUCH AS THE FIRST DISTRICT DECREASED IN POPULATION WHILE OTHERS, MOST NOTABLY THE FIFTH DISTRICT, INCREASED IN POPULATION. AS A RESULT OF THESE POPULATION CHANGES, THE COUNTY'S POPULATION MUST BE EQUALIZED AMONG THE VARIOUS SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ONE PERSON ONE VOTE PRINCIPLE REQUIRING THAT RESIDENTS OF A DISTRICT ARE AFFORDED EQUALITY OF REPRESENTATION. IN MAKING ITS RECOMMENDATION TO THIS BOARD THE B.R.C. WAS REQUIRED TO CONSIDER POPULATION EQUALITY UNDER THE ONE-PERSON ONE-VOTE PRINCIPLE AS WELL AS COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION TWO OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT; THE FEDERAL STATUATE WHICH PROHIBITS ANY PRACTICE OR PROCEDURE THAT INTERACTING WITH SOCIAL AND OTHER HISTORICAL CONDITION IMPAIRS THE ABILITY OF MINORITY VOTORS TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF THEIR CHOICE ON AN EQUAL BASIS WITH OTHER VOTORS. IN ADDITION THE B.R.C. CONSIDERED OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS TOPOGRAPHY, GEOGRAPHY, COHESIVENESS, CONTINUITY, INTEGRITY, COMPACTNESS OF TERRITORY AND IMPORTANTLY AS WELL COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST WITHIN THE VARIOUS SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS. THE B.R.C.'S RECOMMENDED A-2 PLAN IS THE END RESULT OF THOSE CONSIDERATIONS. PLAN A-2 LOWERS THE TOTAL POPULATION DEVIATION FROM THE BENCHMARK PLAN FROM 9.97 PERCENT TO WHAT YOU SAW UP THERE 1.69 PERCENT AS VIEWED BY OUTSIDE REDISTRICTING COUNSEL AS BEING COMPLIANT WITH SECTION 2 OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. IN ADDITION PLAN A-2 MINIMIZES DISRUPTIONS AND CHANGE IN THE CURRENT DISTRICTS, RESPECTS COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST AND DOES NOT CREATE ANY ADDITIONAL CITY SPLITS. PLAN A-2 PRESERVES THE ABILITY OF COHESIVE MINORITY GROUPS TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF THEIR CHOICE. BUT DOES NOT USE RACE AS A PREDOMINANT FACTOR IN ADJUSTING THOSE BOUNDARIES. THE B.R.C. HAD A VERY DIFFICULT JOB IN REVIEWING THE VARIOUS DIFFERENT PLANS THAT WERE SUBMITTED BY ORGANIZATIONS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. AND A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME AND DISCUSSION WENT INTO PLAN A-2 AND I THINK WE'D ALL BE REMISS IF WE DID NOT THANK THE B.R.C. FOR WHAT THEY PRESENTED US AND WHAT THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH. HOWEVER I BELIEVE THE BOARD CAN MAKE FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO PLAN A-2 TO FURTHER UNIFY CITIES AND COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST WHILE COMPLYIN WITH THE ONE-PERSON ONE-VOTE PRINCIPLE AND SECTION 2 OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. DURING THE TIME THAT I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, WE HAVE GROWN TO BE ONE OF THE MOST RACIALLY DIVERSE COUNTIES IN THE NATION. PROUD TO REPRESENT A DISTRICT THAT CURRENTLY HAS A MAJORITY LATINO POPULATION AS WELL AS ASIAN AMERICANS, WHITES, AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND SEVERAL OTHER MINORITY POPULATIONS. INDEED WITH MY CURRENT PROPOSED REVISIONS TO PLAN A-2 OF THE LATINO POPULATION OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT WOULD INCREASE TO OVER 43 PERCENT OF FOURTH DISTRICT RESIDENTS. I THEREFORE PROPOSE THAT FURTHER CHANGES BE MADE TO PLAN A-2 AS FOLLOWS. UNITE SILVER LAKE INTO THE FIRST DISTRICT. TWO, UNITE UNINCORPORATED FLORENCE-FIRESTONE INTO THE SECOND DISTRICT. UNITE PLAYA DEL REY INTO THE FOURTH DISTRICT. UNITE UNINCORPORATED WEST WHITTIER INTO THE FOURTH DISTRICT. IN ORDER TO EQUALIZE POPULATION LOST FOR MOVING UNINCORPORATED WHITTIER INTO THE FOURTH DISTRICT FROM THE FIRST DISTRICT, I MOVE THE CITY OF CLAREMONT AND ITS UNINCORPORATED AREAS INTO THE FIRST DISTRICT. AND, SIX, BALANCE THE POPULATIONS OF DISTRICTS 3 AND 5 BY REVERSING CLIENT A-2'S SHIFT OF PART OF WEST HILLS. THESE CHANGES REDUCE THE LATINO V.A.P. NUMBERS IN THE FIRST DISTRICT TO EVEN LOWER THAN IN THE PLAN A-2. FURTHERMORE, THESE CHANGES WILL UNIFY COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST, INCLUDING FLORENCE-FIRESTONE INTO THE SECOND DISTRICT AND PLAYA DEL REY INTO THE FOURTH DISTRICT. APPRECIATE THE COMMITMENT AND HARD WORK AND DILIGENCE OF THE B.R.C. IN BRINGING THESE CHANGES FORTH TO FURTHER UNITE COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST WHILE NOT CREATING ANY ADDITIONAL CITY SPLITS. THIS PLAN ALSO MEETS THE GOALS OF OUR REDISTRICTING PROCESS, ENSURING EQUALITY OF REPRESENTATION WITHOUT DRAMATIC SHIFTS OF MILLIONS OF OUR RESIDENTS INTO NEW SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS I PUT THAT ON FOR THE SIXTH.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: ANY OTHER? IF NOT, WE'LL CALL UP THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP WITH US AT THIS TIME. MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, MAYOR BOSICH? TONY MENDOZA FROM THE STATE ASSEMBLY. MAYOR ROBERT KENNEDY FROM AVALON. MAYOR LARRY FORESTER FROM SIGNAL HILL. BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF EVEN PUBLIC OFFICIALS THAT ARE SIGNED UP, TRY AND KEEP YOUR REMARKS TO ONE MINUTE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. AND WE HAVE SIGNAL HILL, WE HAVE AVALON, WE HAVE ARCADIA. ASSEMBLYMAN MENDOZA. OKAY. WE HAVE FOUR.
TONY MENDOZA: THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. I AM ASSEMPLYMAN TONY MENDOZA. I REPRESENT THE 56TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ARTESIA, CERRITOS, HAWAIIAN GARDENS, LAKEWOOD, NORWALK, SANTA FE SPRINGS, WHITTIER, UNINCORPORATED SOUTH WHITTIER, LOS NIETOS AND WINTER PARK. I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF REDISTRICTING PLAN S-1. I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE S-1 PLAN BECAUSE THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY DESERVES TO HAVE REPRESENTATION AND A VOICE. THE STATUS QUO PLAN A-2 DOES NOT DO ANYTHING FOR THE SAN GABRIEL CITIES BECAUSE THE COASTAL PART OF THE DISTRICT CONTINUES TO DOMINATE ELECTIONS AND THEREFORE ITS REPRESENTATION. WITHIN MY DISTRICT, THE UNINCORPORATED AREA SUFFER FROM INADEQUATE LEVEL OF SHERIFF PATROLS, INADEQUATE STREET MAINTENANCE, NO CURBS AND IN SOME AREAS NO STREETLIGHTS. UNTIL YOU VOTE FOR A PLAN THAT WILL TRULY HAVE A SAN GABRIEL DISTRICT, WE WILL CONTINUED TO BE NEGLECTED COMPARED TO THE COASTAL CITIES. WE ARE TWO SEPARATE COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST. FOR EXAMPLE, THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CITIES ARE DOMINANT IN ASSOCIATIONS LIKE THE L.A. COUNTY CONTRACT CITY ASSOCIATION, WHICH MEETS MONTHLY TO DISCUSS AND ADVOCATE FOR MUNICIPAL ISSUES. WE RARELY SEE ANY COASTAL CITIES INVOLVED. WE DON'T SHARE MANY ISSUES WITH THEM. THE SAME WITH WATER ISSUES. COASTAL CITIES DEPEND ON THE WEST BASIN WATER DISTRICT AND MOST OF SAN GABRIEL CITIES ARE PART OF CENTRAL BASIN WATER DISTRICT. THOSE TWO BASINS ARE AT ODDS BECAUSE THE CENTRAL BASIN FEELS THAT THE GROUND WATER FEES THAT THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE PAYING SUBSIDIZE THE COSTS OF KEEPING THE OCEAN WATER OUT OF THE GROUND WATER AQUIFER IN THE WEST BASIN DISTRICT. JUST LOOK AT THE GEOGRAPHIC LAYOUT OF THE COUNTY. THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY RUNS ALONG 605 FREEWAY AND BRANCHES OUT TO THE 10, THE 60, THE 5 AND SOME PARTS OF THE 105 FREEWAYS. SAME THING IF YOU LOOK AT THE COASTLINE. IT RUNS, THOSE COMMUNITIES RUN FROM LONG BEACH UP NORTHERN ON THE 405 MPCH HIGHWAY AND IT BRANCHES OUT TO THE 710, THE 110, THE 105, THE 134, AND THE 10 FREEWAYS. THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY IS A WORKING CLASS DISTRICT SHARING MANY SOCIOECONOMIC TRAITS THAT TRULY INTEGRATE THESE CITIES AND UNINCORPORATED AREAS, TRAITS THAT DO NOT DEFINE THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES. THAT'S WHY I'M HERE. TO ADVOCATE FOR A SAN GABRIEL VALLEY DISTRICT THAT HAS BEEN DENIED FOR FAR TOO LONG.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU.
TONY MENDOZA: I'M ALMOST DONE, MR. MAYOR. I WANT TO CHAMPION FOR THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY THE EAST SIDE JUST LIKE THEY HAVE CHAMPIONS FOR THE WEST SIDE WHICH WILL ENJOY A SUBWAY TO THE EAST. MAYBE ONE DAY WE CAN HAVE A PUBLIC HOSPITAL IN THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY. WE GET ONLY ONE OPPORTUNITY EVERY 10 YEARS TO GET THIS RIGHT. DON'T RUIN THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING. IN 1990, FEDERAL COURT FOUND THE COUNTY GOT IT WRONG AND PRACTICED INTENTIONAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LATINO VOTERS AND SUPERVISORIAL REDISTRICTING NOT ONLY IN 1990, BUT ALSO '81, '71, '65 AND '51. DON'T MAKE 2011 THE SAME. L.A. COUNTY CAN ONLY BE AS STRONG AS ITS WEAKEST LINK AND THAT WEAK LINK IN REPRESENTATION IS THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY. UNDER THE PROPOSED REDISTRICTING PLAN A-2, THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY IS BEING CUT INTO THREE DISTRICTS. THE OLD DIVIDE AND CONQUER STRATEGY. WHEN I READ IN THE PAPER THAT ONE OF THE SUPERVISORS APPOINTTEE'S MAIN CONCERN WAS CREATING A DISTRICT THAT WOULD ALLOW A SUPERVISOR OF THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY TO RUN AND WIN AGAIN RATHER THAN PROVIDING REPRESENTATION FOR THE COUNTY'S CONSTITUENTS, I WONDER WHETHER SOME MEMBERS OF THE BOARD'S PRIORITIES ARE. YOUR MAIN CONCERN SHOULD BE REPRESENTATION, NOT PROTECTING INCUMBENCY. A MEMBER OF THE SUPERVISOR'S STAFF THEN ADDED THERE'S NOTHING THAT CURRENTLY PREVENTS A LATINO FROM RUNNING FOR AND BEING ELECTED AS SUPERVISOR OF ANY OF THE FIVE COUNTY SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS. I SPENT 10 YEARS ON ARTESIA CITY COUNCIL, FIVE YEARS ON STATE ASSEMBLY. I KNOW WHAT THE POLITICAL REALITIES ARE. EVEN A WELL-KNOWN LATINO CANDIDATE CAN'T WIN AGAINST SUPERVISOR KNABE WHEN THE MAIN GOAL IS TO REELECT SUPERVISOR KNABE BY APPROVING A DISTRICT THAT IS DOMINATED BY COASTAL COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T SHARE ANYTHING IN COMMON WITH THE SAN GABRIEL VALEY CITIES. NO LATINO CAN WIN AGAINST AN ENTRENCHED INCUMBENT AND THE SAD PART IS I TRULY BELIEVE IN HIS HEART THAT THE SUPERVISOR KNOWS THIS. BUT IF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHOOSE TO DISENFRANCHISE THE WHOLE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY AND THE LATINOS WHO LIVE THERE SO ONE OF ITS MEMBERS CAN ADD FOUR MORE YEARS TO THE 16 HE WILL ALREADY SERVED, WHEN WILL REPRESENTATION BE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY? WHEN IS POLITICS AS USUAL ENOUGH? THAT'S WHY WE NEED A REAL ELECTION, NOT THE STATUS QUO. YOU HAVE SET UP SAFE INCUMBENT DISTRICTS BEFORE. PLEASE DON'T DO IT AGAIN. WE NEED REAL REDISTRICTING PLAN S-1. AND I'M EXCITED MR. MAYOR, THAT I SEE A LOT OF MY COLLEAGUES, THE CITIES THAT I WORK WITH THAT SHOWED UP TODAY. THEY KNOW THAT IN THE PAST I STAND UP FOR WHAT I BELIEVE IN WHETHER I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL OR THE STATE ASSEMBLY TO MY OWN DETRIMENT AT TIME WITH MY COLLEAGUES, BUT I'M HERE BECAUSE I TRULY FEEL PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS. WE NEED TO ADOPT PLAN S-1. AND FOR OUR IMMEDIATE AREA, FOR MY DISTRICT THE BIGGEST CHANGE IS WE WILL STILL BE IN DISTRICT 4. ALL MY CITIZENS ARE GOING TO BE IN DISTRICT 4. THE BIG CHANGE IS WILL WE STAY COASTAL? OR WILL WE CREATE THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY DISTRICT WHICH DESERVES A VOICE. AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT PLAN S-1. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: LET ME ALSO CALL UP JIM EDWARDS OF CERRITOS. YES.
GAVRY KOVACIC: THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. MY NAME IS GARY KOVACIC. I'M THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA. WE SUBMITTED A LETTER DATED JULY 6, 2011 IN SUPPORT OF ARCADIA REMAINING IN THE FIFTH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT WHERE IT HAS BEEN FOR DECADES. THE COUNTY HAS A STRONG PRESENCE IN OUR CITY. WE HAVE A COUNTY PARK AND A GOLF COURSE AN ARBORETUM, FLOOD CONTROL SEDIMENT AREA AND A WATER CONSERVATION AREA. WE ALSO HAVE MANY SHARED COMMON INTERESTS WITH OUR NEIGHBORING AND DIVERSE FOOTHILL COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE FIFTH DISTRICT. THE FIFTH DISTRICT HAS SERVED OUR DIVERSE CITY AND OUR NEIGHBORING FOOTHILL COMMUNITY, AS WELL. AND OUR CITY REQUESTS THAT THE HISTORICAL AND POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WE'VE HAD WITH THE FIFTH DISTRICT BE KEPT INTACT NO MATTER HOW YOU REARRANGE THE OTHER DISTRICTS. WE THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LET ME ALSO CALL UP MAYOR CAROL CHEN. YES, SIR.
ROBERT KENNEDY: ROBERT KENNEDY. MAYOR OF AVALON, THANK YOU, MAYOR, BOARD MEMBERS. 70 PERCENT OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE LATINOS. AND THEY ELECTED ME THREE TERMS TO REPRESENT THEIR INTERESTS. I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF PLAN A-2. THE PEOPLE I SERVE WANT TO REMAIN WITHIN THE FOURTH DISTRICT. SUPERVISOR KNABE AND STAFF KNOW OUR COMMUNITY. AND THEY DISPLAYED A COMMITMENT TO THAT COMMUNITY FOR YEARS. I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH THEM FOR OVER EIGHT YEARS. AND TOGETHER WE HAVE WORKED WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO RENEW INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURES, TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, IMPROVE HISTORICAL AND NATURAL CONSERVATION, IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY, AND CREATE SOME NEW PARKS AND GREEN SPACES FOR OUR RESIDENTS. PLEASE MAINTAIN OUR COMMUNITY WITHIN THE FOURTH DISTRICT AND MAINTAIN THOSE BOUNDARIES. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LET ME ALSO CALL UP COUNCIL MEMBER FRANK SERONIAN. YES, SIR. OKAY. YOU'RE ON.
LARRY FORESTER: MY NAME IS LARRY FORESTER. MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL AND I'VE BEEN AN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITIZENS OF SIGNAL HILL FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS. PLEASE KEEP SIGNAL HILL IN THE GREATER LONG BEACH AREA REPRESENTED BY THE FOURTH DISTRICT AND SUPERVISOR DON KNABE, THE A-2. THE CURRENT SUPERVISOR HAS REPRESENTED THIS AREA AND NEARLY 2 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE CURRENT FOURTH DISTRICT WITH EQUAL EFFORT AND CONCERN FOR THE DIFFERENT NEEDS OF VARIOUS GEOGRAPHIC AND DEMOGRAPHICS. HE HAS BEEN EXTREMELY RESPONSIVE AND ATTENTIVE TO THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES OF THE DISTRICT, WHETHER THEY BE LATINO, CAMBODIAN, VIETNAMESE, AFRICAN-AMERICAN, CAUCASIAN, OR MY OWN COMMUNITY, A BLEND OF THESE COMMUNITIES, THE LGBT COMMUNITY. AS AN OPENLY GAY ELECTED OFFICIAL, SUPERVISOR KNABE HAS HELPED ME FIGHT THE PREJUDICES AGAINST LGBT COMMUNITY AND CREATED A BETTER UNDERSTANDING FOR ALL. AS A PERSON LIVING WITH HIV AND AIDS AND AN ACTIVIST IN THE FIGHT FOR A LIFE WITH THIS DISEASE, THE SUPERVISOR'S HELPED ME MAINTAIN FUNDING FOR THE FOURTH DISTRICT AND SPA 8 AND GIVEN SUPERVISOR KNABE'S OUTSTANDING RECORD OF SERVICE TO HIS FOURTH DISTRICT, I AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITIZENS OF SIGNAL HILL, WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THE NEW PROPOSED DISTRICT MAP A-2. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU, SIR. YES, SIR.
JIM EDWARDS: GOOD MORNING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND SUPERVISORS, MY NAME IS JIM EDWARDS, I'M MAYOR PRO TEM FOR THE CITY OF CERRITOS. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF OUR RESIDENTS OF CERRITOS TO SUPPORT PLAN A-2 AND ALSO ON BEHALF OF MANY OF THE NONPROFITS CURRENTLY IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT. MANY WILL SPEAK TODAY OF WHAT DON HAS DONE FOR THEIR CITIES. I THINK YOU KNOW THAT DON WAS A COUNCILMAN FOR EIGHT YEARS IN OUR CITY AND ALSO MAYOR TWICE. SO THE CITY RESIDENTS KNOW WHAT DON HAS DONE FOR CERRITOS. BUT ALSO, SUPERVISOR KNABE HAS BEEN A CHAMPION AND MAJOR SUPPORTER OF MANY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. HIS INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS HAS BEEN PARAMOUNT TO THE SUCCESS OF HELPING THOUSANDS OF DISTRICT 4 RESIDENTS. IF BOUNDARIES CHANGE, MANY NONPROFITS WILL LOSE THEIR VALUABLE RESOURCE. I DON'T KNOW IF MR. KNABE HAS EVER BEEN REFERRED TO AS A VALUABLE RESOURCE BEFORE, BUT HE IS FOR MANY OF US WHO SERVE ON NONPROFIT BOARDS. SO I'M HERE THIS MORNING TO SAY THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT PLAN A-2 AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL, TOO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. DR. STEVEN ZUCKERMAN AND MAYOR MICHAEL MENDEZ. YES. CAROL.
CAROL CHEN: GOOD MORNING MR. MAYOR AND SUPERVISORS. I'M HERE TO OBVIOUSLY ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS TO SPEAK IN PLAN OF THE PLAN 2-A IN REGARDS TO THE BOUNDARIES AND COMMENTS MADE REGARDING THE ETHNICITIES OF THE COMMUNITIES. AS SUPERVISOR KNABE SAID THE 4TH DISTRICT IS PROBABLY THE MOST DIVERSE IN ETHNICITY IN THIS NATION. I THINK CERRITOS IS MOST DIVERSE CITY IN THE NATION. SO I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OUR RESIDENTS THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS WELL-REPRESENTED BY THE SUPERVISOR. THE VARIOUS ETHNICITIES, OUR COUNCILS ARE ELECTED BASED ON DIFFERENT ETHNICITIES. WE HAVE ASIANS, WE HAVE CAUCASIANS AS WELL AS FILIPINOS AND OUR CITY IS REPRESENTED IN THE DISTRICT BY HISPANIC LEADERS SUCH AS TONY MENDOZA AND OUR CONGRESSWOMAN LINDA SANCHEZ. SO OUR VOTERS ARE IN A DISTRICT AND A CITY CHOOSE WHO THEY THINK IS THE BEST CANDIDATE TO VOTE FOR AND NOT BY ETHNICITY. SO I URGE YOU, THE SUPERVISORS, TO VOTE FOR PLAN 2-A. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU.
SUP. KNABE: I JUST HAVE ONE BRIEF COMMENT. I'M GLAD MY HOMETOWN STILL WANTS ME. [LAUGHTER.]
CAROL CHEN: YES, WE DO. VERY MUCH SO. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: ALSO CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LUIGI VERNOLA.
FRANK ZERUNYAN: HONORABLE MAYOR ANTONOVICH AND THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS FRANK ZERUNYAN AND I'M A COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ESTATES. I RISE IN SUPPORT OF PLAN A-2, OR ANY REASONABLE PLAN THAT MAINTAINS THE DISTRICT CLOSE TO WHAT THEY ARE TODAY AND DO NOT DISPLACE MILLIONS OF RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES. I COME TO YOU ALSO WITH A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE, PERHAPS, AND A LITTLE HISTORY. ON NOVEMBER 20, 1957, EIGHT CITIES GATHERED TO FORM THE CALIFORNIA CONTRACT CITIES ASSOCIATION. LAKEWOOD, BELLFLOWER, DUARTE, LA PUENTE, NORWALK, PARAMOUNT, ROLLING HILLS AND SANTA FE SPRINGS. FOUR OUT OF THOSE EIGHT CITIES WERE IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT. MY CITY IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT FAMILY FOR NOW HALF A CENTURY AS A CONTRACT CITY. ALSO, AS YOU ALL KNOW, I HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING AS THE CALIFORNIA CONTRACT CITIES 49TH PRESIDENT. TODAY, 20 CONTRACT CITIES OUT OF TOTAL 40 THAT CONTRACT FOR MAJOR SERVICES WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES RESIDE IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT. AFTER THE COUNTY, WE CONTRACT CITIES ARE THE LARGEST USERS OF CONTRACT SERVICES IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES. YOU EACH HAVE REPRESENTED YOUR CONTRACT CITIES VERY WELL, AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION. YOUR CITIES KNOW YOU AND YOU KNOW YOUR CITIES. IN THIS ERA OF LEAN GOVERNMENTS, WHERE EFFICIENCY IS SO IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US AND OUR CONSTITUENTS, YOUR INSTITUTIONALIZED KNOWLEDGE IN HISTORY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR THE EFFICIENT USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY, ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT. WITH ANY OTHER PROPOSED PLAN, YOU WOULD BE DESTROYING HALF A CENTURY WORTH OF INSTITUTIONALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND INSTITUTIONALIZED EFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT. I THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. IS LUIGI VERNOLA HERE?
SPEAKER: HE HAD TO LEAVE.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY. MAYOR THOMAS LONG? MAYOR THOMAS LONG? AND MAYOR JOHN RAY? DR. ZUCKERMAN? OKAY, STEVE.
STEVEN ZUCKERMAN: MR. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, I COME BEFORE YOU AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS ESTATES TO SUPPORT PLAN A-2 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE AND AMENDED PER SUPERVISOR KNABE'S SUGGESTIONS. THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL PRESERVE THE EFFICIENCIES AND BENEFITS THAT HAVE RESULTED FROM THE LONG HISTORY BETWEEN OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH WAS THE HOME OF PAST SUPERVISOR DEANE DANA, AND THE FAMILIAR AND EFFECTIVE STAFF OF DISTRICT 4. I HAVE WORKED WITH DISTRICT 4'S STAFF FOR 15 YEARS. AND THE COMMUNITY ASKS THAT YOU ADOPT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUPPORT THE COST SAVINGS AND ORGANIZATIONAL EFFICIENCIES THAT PLAN A-2 REPRESENTS AS OPPOSED TO AN ALTERNATE PLAN THAT WOULD DENY OUR COMMUNITY THESE BENEFITS IN ORDER TO CONTROL ELECTION OUTCOMES IN THE MOST DIVERSE SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU, DOCTOR. YES?
MIKE MENDEZ: MAYOR MIKE MENDEZ, CITY OF NORWALK. WE SUPPORT A-2. AND ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO SAY TO THE SUPERVISORS, I KNOW THIS IS TOUGH. I WANT TO THANK THE DISTRICT PEOPLE THAT DID ALL THE WORK ON THIS. BUT YOU KNOW AS I SIT HERE, I'M A HISPANIC. I'VE BEEN ON THE CITY COUNCIL 23 YEARS. BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH THAT I'VE BEEN ELECTED ALL THOSE YEARS. AND I'VE ALWAYS FELT THAT EVEN AS I LOOK AT YOU HERE, THAT YOU GOT ELECTED BY THE PERSON YOU ARE AND WHAT THE PEOPLE BELIEVE YOU'RE GOING TO DO FOR THEM. AND ME AS A HISPANIC, I REPRESENT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY OF NORWALK. I REPRESENT ALL THE PEOPLE THERE. AND SO I THINK AS I LISTEN TO SOME OF THE EARLIER DIALOGUE THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE SHOULD GET ELECTED BY WHAT THEY STAND FOR. AND THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BELIEVE IN YOU. I KNOW IT'S DIFFICULT AT TIMES BECAUSE OF COSTS OF ELECTIONS AND ALL DIFFERENT KIND OF THINGS. BUT I'M A FIRM BELIEVER THAT I HOPE I'M ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE WANTING TO ELECT ME BECAUSE THEY THINK I'M GOING TO DO THE BEST JOB FOR MY CONSTITUENCY. SO GOING BACK TO THE FOURTH DISTRICT, DON KNABE'S BEEN OUR SUPERVISOR. WE LIKE WHERE WE'RE AT. WE WANT TO STAY IN THAT FOURTH DISTRICT. AS YOU KNOW TODAY, WITH THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ALONG WITH THE OTHER CITIES. WE WORK WITH ALL THE CITIES AROUND US. AS YOU KNOW TODAY YOU CAN'T BE A ONE ENTITY AND GET ANYTHING DONE. YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER. EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE OTHER CITIES, WE NEVER SUPPORTED ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE WE WERE ALL AFTER THE SAME THINGS. AND WE'VE LEARNED THAT YOU'RE NOT VERY GOOD AS ONE ALONE. AND SO I THINK KEEPING THE FOURTH DISTRICT TOGETHER, US BEING ABLE TO WORK THE OTHER CITIES THAT WHEN WORK WITH, HAS HELPED US IN ALL THE OTHER AREAS: TRANSPORTATION, WATER, ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS GOING ON SO I HOPE THAT THE SUPERVISORS WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THIS THING AND SUPPORT THE BOARD THAT PUT THIS TOGETHER. AND WE DEFINITELY WANT TO STAY IN DISTRICT 4. AND THE OTHER THING, TOO, IS I DON'T THINK, AS MR. KNABE'S NOT A HISPANIC AND DOESN'T SPEAK SPANISH, I THINK WE HAVE STAFF MEMBERS AND DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT CAN SPEAK SPANISH. AND I JUST THINK THAT WE HAVE OTHER LANGUAGES IN OUR CITY, NOT JUST HISPANICS AND OTHER PEOPLE. AND WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM. AND I THINK THERE ARE THOSE WAYS. SO I DON'T THINK THAT, I MEAN DON'T GET ME WRONG. I THINK IT'S GREAT IF WE CAN HAVE A HISPANIC ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT SPEAKS SPANISH. BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD. I THINK IT'S WHO THAT PERSON IS. AND IS HE OUT THERE AND DOES HE HAVE THE COMPASSION FOR HIS CONSTITUENCY? AND IS HE OUT THERE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GIVING ME A MOMENT TO SPEAK.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP COUNCIL MEMBER JIM GOODHEART AND COUNCILMAN JOHN ADELMAN. YES, SIR.
TOM LONG: MR. MAYOR, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, MY NAME IS TOM LONG AND I'M THE MAYOR OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AND I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUES AND THE RESIDENTS OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES. WE WOULD SUPPORT STAYING IN DISTRICT 4 AND A-2. I NOTE THAT MR. ZERUNYAN, COUNCILMAN FROM ROLLING HILLS ESTATES POINTED OUT THE COMMONALITY OF INTEREST THAT WE HAVE IN BEING CONTRACT CITIES AND THE MAJORITY OF CONTRACT CITIES BEING IN DISTRICT 4. MY SUPPORT OF REMAINING IN SUPERVISOR KNABE'S DISTRICT IS NOT A PARTISAN SUPPORT. MR. KNABE AND I ARE NOT REGISTERED IN THE SAME PARTY. NOR IS IT A RACIAL SUPPORT, A RACIAL ISSUE, EITHER. I THINK IN THE FUTURE, AND I THINK TIME WILL PROVE THIS TO BE THE CASE, MAYBE NOT 20 YEARS FROM NOW, MAYBE NOT 50, BUT 100 YEARS FROM NOW, ALL OF THE EFFORTS TO DRAW DISTRICT LINES ON THE BASIS OF RACE WILL BECOME IRRELEVANT. COMMUNITIES, THERE WILL BE NO MAJORITY/MINORITY OR MAJORITIES ANYMORE. THE FASTEST GROWING DEMOGRAPHIC WILL BE MIXED RACE COMMUNITIES SUCH AS CERRITOS WHERE SUPERVISOR KNABE COMES FROM. AND EVEN MY COMMUNITY, WHICH IS NOW 40 PERCENT MINORITY. AND EVEN MIXED RACE INDIVIDUALS, THE FASTEST GROWING DEMOGRAPHIC. SO I THINK DRAWING LINES ON THE BASIS OF RACE IS SOMETHING THAT SIMPLY HISTORY WILL PASS IT BY.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. YES, SIR.
JOHN RAY: THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME'S JOHN RAY. I'M THE MAYOR OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES. I JOINED IN MY FELLOW MAYORS AND COUNCILMEMBERS IN THE PALOS VERDES PENINSULA IN EXPRESSING OUR DESIRE TO REMAIN IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT FOR REASONS THAT I SET FORTH IN CORRESPONDENCE WHICH IS PART OF THE RECORD. Y WANTED TO COMMENT BRIEFLY ON THE S-1 PLAN. THE S-1 PLAN WOULD MOVE OUR PENINSULA INTO THE THIRD DISTRICT, WHICH IS HEAVILY GERRYMANDERED. IT WOULD RUN FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY BORDER TO THE VENTURA COUNTY BORDER, NARROWING DOWN TO ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF WIDE WHEN IT REACHES MARINA DEL REY AND DIVES UNDER THE WATER TO CONNECT THE NORTHERN AND THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THIS PROPOSED DISTRICT UNDER THE S-1 PLAN. THERE IS NO COMMUNITY OF INTEREST AMONG THE CITIES IN OUR PENINSULA, AND WESTLAKE VILLAGE, OR WEST HILLS OR HOLLYWOOD. SO WITH DUE RESPECT TO THE ATTORNEYS WHO HAVE SPOKEN TODAY, I DO NOT SEE THAT THE S-1 PLAN WOULD COMPLY WITH THE STATE ELECTION CODE AND IT WOULD NOT SURVIVE CONSTITUTIONAL ANALYSIS. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU, SIR. LET ME ALSO CALL UP COUNCIL MEMBER GENE DANIELS AND COUNCIL MEMBER WAYNE POWELL. YES, SIR.
JIM GOODHEART: GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS JIM GOODHEART. I AM A FORMER MAYOR OF THE CITY OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES AND NOW SERVING IN MY SEVENTH YEAR AS A CITY COUNCILMAN. IN ADDITION, TODAY I'M REPRESENTING THE PALOS VERDES TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF WHICH I AM CHAIR THIS YEAR AND ALSO THE SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCILS OF GOVERNMENT. WE WANT TO RELAY OUR SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED PLAN AND ANY OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT MR. KNABE HAS FORWARDED. BRIEFLY, THIS PLAN WOULD RESULT IN THE LEAST DISRUPTION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE SOUTH BAY AREA. THIS PLAN WOULD KEEP LONGSTANDING COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST TOGETHER. THE SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS AS AN EXAMPLE HAS WORKED EFFECTIVELY OVER THE YEARS AND HAS MOST NOTICEABLY BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR COORDINATING THE EFFORTS OF 13 AGENCIES IN THE SOUTH BAY TO IDENTIFY 41 EARLY ACTION PROJECTS IN THE SOUTH BAY MEASURE R HIGHWAY PROGRAM. WE RECENTLY OR THIS PROGRAM WAS RECENTLY VALUED AT 176 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE SOUTH BAY AND A TOTAL OF 906 MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE 30 YEARS. OUR COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTH BAY BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN AND ARE WELL-REPRESENTED BY THE CURRENT SUPERVISOR IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT, MR. KNABE. I CAN SAY HE IS SINGULARLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE PALOS VERDES TRANSIT AUTHORITY, WHICH PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION TO THE PALOS VERDES PENINSULA. THIS DISTRICT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GEOGRAPHICALLY AND ETHNICALLY DIVERSE COMMUNITY AS PROVIDED IN PLAN A-2 AND ACHIEVES THE REQUIRED POPULATION TO BE REPRESENTED. EXTENSIVE AND RADICAL MODIFICATIONS AS OUTLINED IN PLAN S-1 WILL COME WITH A COST THAT WE CAN ILL AFFORD. DISPLACING OVER THREE MILLION PEOPLE AND CHANGING THE GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES OVER THE FOURTH DISTRICT IS NOT APPROPRIATE AND FURTHER CREATES THE KIND OF GERRYMANDERING THAT OUR STATE IS TRYING TO CORRECT WITH THE CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU, SIR. LET ME ALSO CALL UP COUNCIL MEMBER MONTGOMERY.
JOHN ADDLEMAN: MY NAME IS JOHN ADDLEMAN CITY COUNCILMAN FROM ROLLING HILLS ESTATES ON THE PALOS VERDES PENINSULA. I'VE BEEN ON THE CITY COUNCIL SINCE 1997, THREE TIMES AS MAYOR. MY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND I DO NOT WANT TO BE REMOVED FROM THE FOURTH DISTRICT SUPERVISED BY DON KNABE. HE'S BEEN TRUE FRIEND TO OUR CITY AND THE PENINSULA SINCE HIS ELECTION IN 1996. HE KNOWS OUR THE ELECTEDS, OUR CHALLENGES, OUR CONCERNS. WE ALL KNOW HIS EXCELLENT STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE PROFESSIONAL AND VERY RESPONSIVE. WE CONTACT THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS AND ARE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR RAPID RESPONSE. PLAN A-2 WOULD ENSURE THESE VALUABLE RESPONSES WOULD CONTINUE. I'M CONCERNED, HOWEVER, WITH THE S-1 PLAN. APPARENTLY THE TOTAL POPULATION MOVED WOULD EXCEED 3,400,000 RESIDENTS. I'D CAUTION THE SUPERVISORS THAT IF THIS PLAN IS CHOSEN, IT COULD EASILY HAVE THE EFFECT OF DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF THESE RESIDENTS. EVEN THE MOST URGENT EFFORTS BY THE NEW SUPERVISORS AND THEIR STAFF WOULD BE OVERWHELMED BY NEW CITIES, NEW RESIDENTS, NEW COUNCILMEMBERS THEY DO NOT KNOW AND PROBLEMS AND CONCERNS THAT THEY'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH. THE INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY OF OUR CURRENT SUPERVISORS AND THEIR STAFFS CANNOT BE OVERSTATED. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR AND FELLOW SUPERVISORS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU, SIR. LET ME ALSO CALL UP COUNCIL MEMBER SUZANNE FUENTES. YES, SIR.
JAY DANIEL: I'M JAY DANIEL, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FROM PARAMOUNT. I APPRECIATE THE CHANCE TO MAKE THE STATEMENT TODAY ON BEHALF OF MY FELLOW COUNCILMEMBERS. THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT SUPPORTS PLAN A-2 WHEN IT COMES TO NEW BOUNDARIES FOR THE FOURTH DISTRICT. PARAMOUNT HAS BEEN IN THIS DISTRICT FOR DECADES. THE UNITY THAT HAS DEVELOPED BETWEEN OUR SISTER CITIES IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT AS WELL AS THE BONDS FORMED OVER THE YEARS BETWEEN OFFICIALS WOULD BEST BE PRESERVED WITH THE A-2 MAP. IN ADDITION, PARAMOUNT HAS A MAJORITY OF HISPANIC RESIDENTS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. SUPERVISOR KNABE HAS BEEN VERY ATTENTIVE TO OUR POPULATION. HIS COMMITMENT TO EXPANDING PLAN AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND JOB TRAINING RESOURCES HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE FEEL AGAIN THAT THE PLAN A2 WOULD CONTINUE THE GREAT BENEFITS FOR OUR RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT. I THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP COUNCIL MEMBER CARL JACOBSON. YES, SIR.
WAYNE POWELL: WAYNE POWELL, MAYOR PRO TEM FOR THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH AND I ALSO SERVE AS AN L.A. COUNTY BEACH COMMISSIONER. I AM SUPPORTING PLAN A-2, AS ARE ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS. SUPERVISOR KNABE HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB REPRESENTING OUR COMMUNITY. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ALSO REPRESENTS VERY WELL YOUR CONSTITUENTS. THEREFORE, IT IS IMPERATIVE AND ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO MINIMIZE THE AMOUNT OF DISRUPTION AND HAVE CONTINUITY AND INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE. I ALSO SERVE ON THE SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS. AND ALL OF THE SOUTH BAY CITIES GET TOGETHER AND SOLVE COMMON PROBLEMS. WE WORK WELL AS A TEAM. AND TO BREAK UP THAT TEAMWORK WOULD BE A SHAME. SO THEREFORE I LEND MY SUPPORT IN FAVOR OF PLAN A-2 AND AGAINST PLAN S-1. THANK YOU.
RICHARD MONTGOMERY:GOOD MORNING MAYOR ANTONOVICH. RICHARD MONTGOMERY, COUNCIL MEMBER OF CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH ALSO HERE AS PRESIDENT OF INDEPENDENT CITY ASSOCIATION. SEVERAL MILLION RESIDENTS ACROSS L.A. COUNTY, 54 CITIES. IN SUPPORT OF FOURTH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR KNABE, WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT SUPERVISOR KNABE AND HIS STAFF KNOWS OUR RESIDENTS, KNOW OUR RESIDENTS, OUR CITIES, OUR STAFF, OUR BUSINESS OWNERS, MORE IMPORTANTLY KNOWS OUR NEEDS AND KNOWS OUR PROBLEMS. THE COMMENT EARLIER ABOUT THE STUDY WE HEARD FROM DR. LEVITTS, THERE'S BEEN NO CRY OF LACK OF REPRESENTATION FROM ANYONE I KNOW, ANY ETHNIC GROUP IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT.ANYONE BEING DENIED TO VOTE FOR ANY CANDIDATE OF CHOICE IN THAT DISTRICT. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, MY GOD FRIEND JOHN NOGUEZ RECENTLY WON THE L.A. COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR. HE'S A LATINO. SO THE OBJECT HERE IT'S THE FOURTH DISTRICT. IT'S IN GREAT SHAPE. THE PROBLEM OF A-2 IS A GREAT PROGRAM. WE SUPPORT IT ENTIRELY AND I HOPE YOU SUPPORT IT AS WELL. THANK YOU ALL.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LET ME ALSO CALL UP COUNCIL MEMBER TOM BREWER.
SUZANNE FUENTES: GOOD AFTERNOON, SUPERVISORS. I AM SUZANNE FUENTES AND AN EL SEGUNDO COUNCIL MEMBER. I'M ALSO A PROUD SEVENTH GENERATION LATINA ANGELINO. I GREW UP LISTENING TO MY GRAMPA FUENTES LIVING IN LOS ANGELES UNDER FOUR FLAGS. HE WAS BAPTIZED IN THE LOS ANGELES PLAZA CHURCH MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO. MY OWN FATHER GREW UP IN BOYLE HEIGHTS. I HAVE STRONG TIES TO THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES. THAT IS WHY I'M HERE TODAY TO RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO ADOPT PLAN 2 AND KEEP THE FOURTH DISTRICT TOGETHER WITH AS LITTLE DISRUPTION AS POSSIBLE. THIS PLAN KEEPS OUR REGION TOGETHER AND ASSURES US LOCAL REPRESENTATION. AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, WE ALL KNOW FIRSTHAND THAT ACCESSIBILITY AND COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR CONSTITUENTS. PLAN 2 MAINTAINS BOTH OF THESE. PLEASE KEEP OUR GEOGRAPHICALLY AND RACIALLY DIVERSE DISTRICT AS IT IS. DO NOT MOVE MORE THAN 3.4 MILLION PEOPLE, INCLUDING MY CITY, TO A NEW DISTRICT. THIS WOULD HAVE A PROFOUND DISRUPTIVE IMPACT TO OUR COMMUNITY. SUPERVISOR KNABE AND HIS STAFF ARE COMMITTED TO US. THEY HAVE COMMITTED THEIR TIME, TREASURE AND TALENT TO IMPROVING OUR COMMUNITIES. THERE ARE MONTHS WHEN I SEE MORE OF HIS STAFF THEN I SEE MY OWN FAMILY. THE EL SEGUNDO CITY COUNCIL LAST TUESDAY VOTED UNANIMOUSLY IN SUPPORT OF PLAN A-2. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LET ME ALSO CALL UP COUNCIL MEMBER JOHN NICOLORO. YES, SIR.
EARL JACOBSON: EARLJACOBSON. COUNCILMAN CITY OF EL SEGUNDO. I WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 1984. HAVE SERVED EIGHT YEARS AS MAYOR. AND I'VE HAD MANY DECADES BEING IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT, A COUPLE SUPERVISORS. IT HAS BEEN A GREAT PLEASURE TO WORK WITH THEM. GOING TO A TOTAL CHANGE IN A LOT OF THE AREAS I THINK WILL BE MORE COSTLY TO THE COUNTY IN MANY WAYS WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IS, HOW TO WORK WITH THEM. THE CHANGE IS NOT GREAT JUST FOR CHANGE. WE APPRECIATE THAT SUPERVISOR KNABE'S WORK AND I AGREE WITH HIS AMENDMENT TO THE A-2. AND WE ARE IN FULL SUPPORT WITH A-2. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. YES, SIR.
TOM BREWER: I'M TOM BREWER. I'M A COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE CITY OF TORRANCE AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT A-2. THE CITY OF TORRANCE SUPPORTS IT. AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT THE CITY OF TORRANCE LOVES DON KNABE AND THAT'S THE POINT. ALL OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS LOVE YOU. WE BUILT A RELATIONSHIP WITH SUPERVISOR'S KNABE'S OFFICE OVER THE YEARS JUST AS YOUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE BUILT A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU. THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE CHANGING THREE AND ONE-HALF MILLION PEOPLE WHEN THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARE HAVING PROBLEMS FINANCIALLY. WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IN OUR DISTRICT AS WELL AS DON KNABE DOES AND AS WELL AS YOUR CONSTUENTS DO AS WELL. YOU'VE HEARD FROM THE B.R.C. THAT'S DONE A GREAT JOB IN COMING UP WITH THIS PROPOSAL, AND YOU HEARD FROM THE LEGAL COUNCIL THAT IT'S LEGAL AND THEREFORE THE CITY OF TORRANCE AND I SUPPORT THE SUPERVISOR'S DISTRICT A-2. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU.
JOHN NICOLORO: MR. MAYOR, SUPERVISORS, MY NAME IS JOHN NICOLORO, I'M A MEMBER OF THE MONROVIA-ARCADIA-DUARTE TOWN COUNCIL, WHICH IS AN UNINCORPORATED AREA BOUNDED ON THE WEST BY THE SAN ANITA WASH ON THE EAST BY MOUNTAIN AVE., ON THE NORTH BY DUARTE ROAD AND IT RUNS DOWN INTO THE IRWINDALE QUARIES AND PECK LAKE. AND WE'VE BEEN SERVED BY DISTRICT 5 FOR MANY YEARS. AND WE'RE PLEASED WITH WHAT WE RECEIVE THERE. WE HAVE A MARVELOUS PARK THERE CALLED PAMELA PARK, WHICH HAS GREAT CLASSES FOR ALL THE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS, EVERYBODY THERE. AND IT'S MANNED ALSO BY L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICERS AND THE PROBATION OFFICER, WHICH I DON'T KNOW OF ANY PARK ANYWHERE THAT HAS POLICEMEN THAT ARE ASSIGNED DUTY TO HANDLE CHILDREN IN THE PARK. THIS IS MARVELOUS. WE ALSO HAVE AN OUTSTANDING LIBRARY THAT IS MULTILINGUAL AND PACKED ALL THE TIME ON LIVE OAK AVE IN THE ARCADIA AREA WHICH COULD BE EXPANDED. BUT OVERALL, WE WANT TO STAY IN DISTRICT 5. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT CONCLUDED ALL THE ELECTED OFFICIALS. BECAUSE THERE IS CONFUSION ON S-1 IS NOT PLAN S-1. SO WE'RE GOING TO CALL... HOW ARE YOU?
JOSE BARIOS: MR. MAYOR, I ALSO REQUESTED TO SPEAK. MY NAME IS JOSE BARIOS I'M MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CUDAHY WHICH IS HERE IN SOUTHEAST L.A. COUNTY. I'M VERY EXCITED I CAN BE HERE TO SPEAK ON SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT. I GUESS THE FIRST THING IS LET'S LOOK AT A VERY IMPORTANT FACT, AND THAT'S A NUMBER, IT'S 48 PERCENT. 48 PERCENT OF ALL PEOPLE IN LOS ANGELES ARE LATINO. FOR THOSE OF US THAT ARE NOT GOOD AT MATH LIKE MYSELF, THAT'S ALMOST 50 PERCENT. THAT'S ALMOST HALF. LATINOS ACROSS-THE-BOARD HOWEVER ARE WIDELY UNDER REPRESENTED. WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORKFORCE AT EVERY LEVEL. WE ACCOUNT FOR OVER 1 TRILLION DOLLARS IN PURCHASING POWER NATIONWIDE. ACCORDING TO A USC STUDY LATINOS IN CALIFORNIA WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR NEARLY 80 PERCENT OF THE STATE'S HOMEOWNER GROWTH IN THE 2000S. AND OF COURSE WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE CUISINE AND THE CULTURAL IDENTITY OF LOS ANGELES. MANY CONSIDER LATINOS TO BE THE BACKBONE OF OUR COMMUNITY. MANY LATINO WORKING CLASS FAMILIES COULD PROBABLY AGREE TO THAT. THE FACT IS WE NEED FAIR REPRESENTATION. MR. ALLEN HOFFENBLUM, WHO WAS APPOINTED TO THE COMMISSION, WAS QUOTED AS SAYING "WHY WOULD YOU DISRUPT THE DISTRICT OF SOMEONE WHO IS SEEKING HIS FINAL TERM?" THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SELECTED THE B.R.C. NOT TO BE A GOOD OLD BOY CLUB BUT TO PROVIDE FAIR LINES AND REPRESENTATION. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, WE ARE NOT HERE TO PROTECT INCUMBENTS AS MR. HOFFENBLUM WAS ALSO QUOTED AS SAYING. WE'RE HERE TO PROTECT THE RESIDENTS OF L.A. COUNTY. THE LATINO COMMUNITY IS NOT BEING REPRESENTED. IT IS BEING DISENFRANCHISED. THE S-1 PLAN, ALSO KNOWN AS THE LATINO AFRICAN-AMERICA COALITION MAP, ACURATELY MEETS ALL NECESSARY CASELAW STANDARDS. IT HAS THE SUPPORT OF QUITE AN ARRAY OF ORGANIZATIONS, BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE LATINO COMMUNITY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY IT ADDRESSES L.A. COUNTY'S DIVERSE ETHNIC COMMUNITIES ALL IN THE SPIRIT OF CIVIC COLLABORATION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE. IN 1991 WE SAW THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT FORCE THE COUNTY INTO CREATING A LATINO DISTRICT. WE KNOW THAT 20 YEARS LATER, WE ARE SMARTER THAN TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN. I HUMBLY REQUEST YOU ADOPT THE S-1 PLAN. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY. ONE MINUTE EACH. NOW WE WILL CALL UP THE FOLLOWING: RANDY GORDON, SARAH POLIM, DAVID HERBIS, SHERI KRAMER. SO KEEP IT TO ONE MINUTE. WE HAVE LIKE 300 PEOPLE.
RANDY GORDON: GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR ANTONOVICH, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO ADDRESS YOU TODAY. MY NAME IS RANDY GORDON. I'M PRESIDENT AND C.E.O. OF THE LONG BEACH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. WE STRONGLY SUPPORT AND URGE YOU TO KEEP THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AS PART OF THE FOURTH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY IN THE FINAL OUTCOME. ANY POSSIBILITY OF LONG BEACH BEING SPLIT UP INTO MULTIPLE COUNTY SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS WOULD HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE COUNTY'S SECOND LARGEST CITY. THE FOURTH DISTRICT HAS BEEN LONG BEACH'S HOME FOR MANY YEARS, ESTABLISHING A FIRM RELATIONSHIP WITH SUPERVISOR KNABE AND THE CITY, THIS HAS BEEN CRITICAL IN TACKLING PROBLEMS. IN A DISTRICT THAT'S VERY REFLECTIVE OF THE COUNTY AS A WHOLE AND THAT IS RACIALLY AND GEOGRAPHICALLY DIVERSE, IS MADE UP OF A NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES AND INTERESTS THAT SHARE THE IDEA AND THEY'RE WELL REPRESENTED NOW WITH SUPERVISOR KNABE. AND WE WISH TO STAY THAT WAY IN THE FUTURE. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO DISRUPT HISTORICAL CONTINUITY BY DIVIDING LONG BEACH INTO MULTIPLE DISTRICTS FORCING SUPERVISORS UNFAMILIAR WITH LONG BEACH TO BALANCE ITS NEEDS WITH THAT OF OTHER CITIES. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERATION AND SUPPORTING PLAN A-2.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. ALSO HERB HATANAKA. YES, MA'AM. OKAY.
SARA PO-LIM: GOOD AFTERNOON, SUPERVISORS AND MAYOR. MY NAME IS SARA PO-LIM, I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY IN LONG BEACH. I ALSO LIVE AND WORK IN THE SUPERVISOR KNABE DISTRICT. ON BEHALF OF UCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS, STAFF, VOLUNTEERS AND THE LONG BEACH RESIDENTS THAT ARE HERE WITH ME TODAY, WE COME TO SUPPORT THE A-2 PLAN. SUPERVISOR KNABE IS ALMOST A DECADE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITY OF OUR COMMUNITY. HE ENCOURAGE US TO MOBILIZE OUR VOICE AMONG OUR API COMMUNITY MEMBERS. FOR THAT, WE ARE DOING EXTREMELY WELL IN INTEGRATING LINGUISTIC, ECONOMIC AND CIVIC. TO BREAK THE RELATIONSHIP DESTRUCTION WILL HINDER OUR RIGHT OF WANTING AN EQUAL REPRESENTATION AS WELL. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO, IS DAVID HERBIS HERE? HERB IS HERE. LYNN LEE? LYNN LEE, YOUTH LEADER, PARENT ASSOCIATION? JUDY GORDON. YES, MA'AM.
SHERI KRAMER: THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. MAYOR AND SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS SHERI KRAMER. I COME HERE AS A 28-YEAR RESIDENT OF MANHATTAN BEACH, A BOARD MEMBER ON SEVERAL SOUTH BAY CHAMBERS,EL SEGUNDO, TORRANCE AND PALOS VERDES AND AS A COMMUNITY AFFAIRS REPRESENTATIVE OF A COMPANY WITH PROPERTIES IN FOUR LOCAL CITIES. IN ADDITION, I SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN THE CITY OF WHITTIER AS MY HUSBAND IS A PHYSICIAN AT PRESBYTERIAN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL. ALL OF WHICH ARE WITHIN THE FOURTH DISTRICT UNDER SUPERVISOR KNABE'S JURISDICTION. SUPERVISOR KNABE HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THESE CITIES FOR YEARS. HIS DEDICATION TO THE PEOPLE, THE BUSINESSES, THE SCHOOLS AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS IS EVIDENT. WE HAVE COME TO TRUST HIM IN HIS SUPERVISORY ROLE AND AS A FRIEND. WE OWE A WORLD OF GRATITUDE FOR BOTH HIS PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY. THE DISTRICT IS LIKE A QUILT THAT HAS BEEN SEWN TOGETHER, AND THIS CONNECTION IS WHAT MAKES US THRIVE, TO DISRUPT THIS STRUCTURE NOW WILL BE DEVASTATING TO MANY OF THE RESIDENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO MAKE UP THE PATCHWORK OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT. I URGE YOU TO KEEP THE FOURTH DISTRICT AS IT IS AND SUPPORT A-2. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. MARIKO KAHN. THANK YOU.
HERB HATANAKA: GOOD MORNING, I'M HERB HATANAKA, I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE ASIAN PACIFIC POLICY AND PLANNING COUNCIL. I WAS APPOINTED AS ONE OF THE B.R.C. MEMBERS, AND I WANT THE THANK SUPERVISOR KNABE FOR ALLOWING ME TO PROVIDE SOME COUNTY SERVICE. I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK UPON OUR COMMUNITIES; THE ASIA PACIFIC ISLANDER POPULATIONS ARE SPREAD OUT, AS YOU ALL KNOW, NOT IN ONE PARTICULAR DISTRICT. NOW EVEN THOUGH WE ARE THE SECOND LARGEST ETHNIC MINORITY POPULATION, WE'RE SPREAD OUT ACROSS FIVE DISTRICTS. FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS AS A COMMUNITY, BECAUSE OUR ETHNIC POPULATIONS ARE VERY DIVERSE, WE'VE ORGANIZED OURSELVES IN ALLIANCES. WE'VE BROUGHT TOGETHER OUR COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST IN EACH OF YOUR DISTRICTS. AND EACH OF YOU AS SUPERVISORS HAVE BEEN RECEPTIVE TO OUR REQUESTS FOR SUPPORT FROM YOU. YOU'VE MET WITH US ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. YOU'VE ALLOWED YOUR STAFF TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO US. AND AS A RESULT, WITHIN EACH OF THE SUP DISTRICTS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DEVELOP A COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES AND THE SUPPORT FROM OUR COMMUNITIES. SO WE URGE YOU, UNDER A-2, OUR SUPPORT FOR A-2 IS BASED ON OUR ABILITY TO BE THE INFLUENCE OF THE POLITICAL PROCESS IN EACH SUP DISTRICT NOT JUST ONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. AND ALSO CAMELIA TOWNSEND. YES, MA'AM.
JUDY GORDON: HI, I'M JUDY GORDON AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH FOR RAINBOW SERVICES IN SAN PEDRO. WE SERVE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY PROVIDING SHELTER AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. WE'VE WORKED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS TO FORGE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COUNTY, WITH SUPERVISOR KNABE'S OFFICE AND WITH OTHER NONPROFITS IN OUR DISTRICT. AND I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT PLAN A-2 AND MAINTAIN THE DISTRICT AS IT IS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. IS CAMELIA TOWNSEND HERE? OKAY. YES, MA'AM. AND ALSO PATRICIA EUNICE. YES.
LYNN LEE: HI, MY NAME IS LYNN LEE. WE ARE FROM THE CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY AND I'M DEFINITELY HER TO URGE YOU TO SUPPORT PLAN A-2. I JUST BELIEVE THAT IF THERE'S LIKE LARGE MINORITY GROUP LIKE US CAMBODIAN WE ARE ABLE TO SELECT OUR PREFER CANDIDATES. AND WE CAN CREATE A VOICE THAT WOULD BE HEARD. AND SO, YES, PLEASE KEEP PLAN 2. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. PATRICIA EUNICE AND CONNIE JOE? YES, MA'AM.
MARIKO KAHN: MY NAME IS MARIKO KAHN. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 2. I'M E.D. OF AN AGENCY THAT HAS OFFICES IN DISTRICTS 1, 2 AND 4. AND I'M HERE AS THE PRESIDENT OF A.B.C.O.N. WE ARE IN FAVOR OF A-2 PLAN. AS 15.5 PERCENT OF THE COUNTY, A.P.I.S HAVE DIVERSE NEEDS, WHICH ARE BETTER SERVED BY A-2, GIVEN THE CLUSTERING OF OUR COMMUNITIES. OUR CONCERN IS NOT JUST ABOUT PERCENTAGES PER DISTRICT BUT ALSO WHERE AGENCIES ARE LOCATED AND WHERE PEOPLE ARE SERVED. A-2 IS LESS DISRUPTIVE. IT MAINTAINS OUR CONTINUITY OF ACCESS TO ALL BOARD OFFICES. LAST, IT HAS BEEN PRESENTED THAT THE B.R.A. MANDATES TWO LATINO DISTRICTS BUT THE REPORT TODAY FROM COUNTY COUNCIL DOES NOT SUPPORT THAT. IF WE FOLLOWED THE S-2 REASONING OR S-1 REASONING, SORRY, THERE SHOULD NOT BE AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN SUPERVISOR. AND THERE SHOULD BE AN A.P.I. SUPERVISOR. BUT WE'RE NOT JUST ABOUT RACE. A-2 TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE GROWTH OF OUR LATINO BROTHERS AND SISTERS. IT PROTECTS THE DECREASING AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULATION. AND IT DOES NOT DILUTE THE IMPACT OF A.P.I. COMMUNITIES OF INFLUENCE. IT MAINTAINS A.P.I. VOICES IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. SO WE ARE VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF A-2.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP TONY DAHLERBRUCH, ROLLING HILLS. AND CATHERINE GAUGHEN.
CAMILLA TOWNSEND: GOOD AFTERNOON, SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS CAMILLA TOWNSEND, I'M A FORMER HARBOR COMMISSIONER FOR THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES AND CURRENTLY PRESIDENT AND C.E.O. OF THE SAN PEDRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE WE ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORT PLAN 2-A IN WHICH SAN PEDRO AND ALL THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES IN THE PENINSULA AND HARBOR AREA REMAIN IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT. OUR DISTRICT IS GEOGRAPHICALLY AND RACIALLY DIVERSE. OUR CITIES, COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR DECADES. AND OUR SUPERVISOR DON KNABE IS FULLY AWARE OF OUR COMMUNITY'S NEEDS AND HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARILY RESPONSIVE. WE DON'T NEED ANYMORE CHANGE RIGHT NOW. WE ARE CURRENTLY GOING TO EXPERIENCE SERIOUS CHANGE WITH OTHER REDISTRICTING CHANGES AT BOTH THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND WE'VE ALSO LOST THREE OF OUR MAJOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS THROUGH EITHER DEATH OR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS. SO WE REALLY WANT TO SEE OUR COUNTY STAY THE SAME. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. YES, MA'AM.
CONNIE CHUNG JOE: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CONNIE CHUNG JOE. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE KOREAN AMERICAN SERVICE CENTER AND THE VICE PRESIDENT OF PLANNING OF A.B.C.O.N. K.A.F.S.C. IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN THE HEART OF KOREAN TOWN THAT HAS BEEN SERVING KOREAN IMMIGRANT FAMILIES FOR YEARS. WE ARE LOCATED IN THE THIRD DISCTRICT BUT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE SECOND DISTRICT. I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY IN THE THIRD DISTRICT FOR HIS GREAT SUPPORT FOR THE KOREAN AND A.P.I. COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS SUPERVISOR MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS NEXT DOOR FOR ALSO BEING ACCESSIBLE TO OUR COMMUNITIES. ON BEHALF OF K.A.F.S.C., I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE A-2 PLAN WHICH CLOSELY MAINTAINS THE CURRENT DISTRICTS AND RESPECTS THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE HAVE ESTABLISHED. WE OPPOSE THE S-1 PLAN BECAUSE IT WOULD DIVIDE AND DISPERSE OUR COMMUNITY. IN PARTICULAR IN THE WEST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY WHERE CURRENTLY 25 PERCENT OF K.A.F.S.C. 'S COUNSELING CLIENTS RESIDE. THEY WOULD BE BIFURCATED BY REMOVING THE KOREANS OF RACIDA AND KENOGA AN PARK AND DISPLACING THEM FROM DISTRICT 3 TO DISTRICT 1.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP SUE PIE LIEU AND DAVID LEVINE.
TONY DAHLERBRUCH: THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS TONY DAHLERBRUCH I'M THE CITY MANAGER WITH THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS. I'M HERE REPRESENTING MAYOR ALLEN LAY WHO WAS UNABLE TO BE HERE TODAY. I'M HERE TO CONVEY THAT THE ROLLING HILLS CITY COUNCIL URGES THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO ADOPT MAP A-2. THROUGHOUT THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS HAS REPORTEDLY SUPPORTED MAINTAINING DISTRICT 4 IN ITS BASIC CONFIGURATION. THE CITY STRONGLY APPRECIATES THE VALUE, EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF SUPERVISOR KNABE AND THE RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED WITH HIM AND HIS STAFF OVER THE YEARS. HOWEVER, THERE'S SEVERAL OTHER ADDITIONAL REASONS TO MAINTAIN THE EXISTING CONFIGURATION OF DISTRICTS. FIRST, DISTRICT 4 INCLUDES A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CONTRACT CITIES THAT RECEIVE COUNTY SERVICES. WE ARE A CONTRACT CITY. WE ARE SERVED VERY EFFECTIVELY AND CONSISTENTLY UNDER ONE SHARED SUPERVISOR AND BY A SUPERVISOR WHO UNDERSTANDS THE NEEDS OF CONTRACT CITIES. SECOND, THE ALTERNATIVE MAP S-1 FORCES TWO DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, THE WEST SIDE AND THE SOUTH BAY, INTO ONE UNIT WHERE THERE ISN'T NECESSARILY COMMONALITY. THIRD, THERE IS NO REASON TO FORCE UNNECESSARY CHANGES TO A SYSTEM THAT WORKS JUST FINE NOW, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT AND LONG-TERM IMPACTS TO THE PUBLIC. THE CHANGES CAUSES ALL NEW RELATIONSHIPS TO BE DEVELOPED. AND, FINALLY, WITH THE PUBLIC COMMENTS PROVIDED ON THIS MATTER, IT IS CLEAR THAT MANY DISTRICT 4 CONSTITUENTS HAVE NO INTEREST IN THE ALTERNATIVE DISTRICT. THE CONFIGURATION-
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU.
TONY DAHLERBRUCH: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE IT.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: LET ME ALSO CALL UP DARRYL GEORGE AND HASIN CHEN AU OF THE CAMBODIAN TOWN.
CATHERINE GAUGHEN: GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM CATHERINE GAUGHEN, I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE CERITOS REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPRESENTING OVER 50,000 JOBS. I'M ALSO PRESIDENT OF THE GATEWAY CHAMBER ALLIANCE WHICH REPRESENTS 23 CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE IN THE GATEWAY LOS ANGELES AREA. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU APPROVE PLAN A-2. THIS IS THE LEAST DISRUPTIVE PLAN AND REPRESENTS THE WISHES OF THE VOTERS IN YOUR DISTRICTS. L.A. COUNTY IS ALREADY SO DIVERSE IN ITS SOCIOECONOMIC AND ETHNIC MAKEUP. IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT UNDER LEADERSHIP SUPERVISOR DON KNABE, WE ARE DIVERSE IN OUR UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS. ETHNICITIES AND CULTURES. BUT WE ALL WORK SO CLOSELY AS ONE UNIFIED DISTRICT. THE FOURTH DISTRICT IS A COMMUNITY. PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THAT. CENSUS DATA SHOULD BE USED TO REALIGN CURRENT DISTRICT BOUNDARIES WITH MINIMAL DISRUPTION. CENSUS DATA SHOULD NOT BE USED TO REINVENT THE WHEEL AS A POWER GRAB THAT CAN DESTROY COMMUNITIES. PLAN S-1 IS HIGHLY DIVISIVE AND TO ALL COMMUNITIES AND IT SERVES NO PURPOSE OTHER THAN AN ATTEMPT AT POLITICAL POWER REDISTRIBUTION.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU.
CATHERINE GAUGHEN: DO NOT PLAY POLITICS WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS. PLEASE REPRESENT US.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP JERRY GAINS. JERRY GAINES? YES, MA'AM.
SZU-PEI LU YANG: GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR AND SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS SZU-PEI LU YANG I SIT AS AN ELECTED FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ROLLING WATERS DISTRICT. I AM HERE TODAY AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND AS A RESIDENT OF ROWLAND HEIGHTS LOCATED IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT. THE CHAMBER REPRESENTS TWO CITIES, WALNUT AND DIAMOND BAR AND TWO UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY ROWLAND HEIGHTS AND HACIENDA HEIGHTS WHICH HAS POPULATION OF OVER 100,000 PEOPLE. THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY IS COMPRISED MOSTLY OF SMALL BUSINESSES THAT RELY ON THE SUPPORT AND RELATIONSHIP THE CHAMBER HAS FOSTERED OVER THE YEARS. LET'S BE FRANK HERE. THE ISSUES NEED TO BE FOCUSED. THE ISSUE IS MONEY. HOW WILL WE SURVIVE AS A COUNTY, STATE AND COUNTY, AND HOW GOING TO SURVIVE IN THIS DOWN ECONOMY? SMALL BUSINESSES WILL BE HARD HIT IN THIS DOWN ECONOMY. WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A LITTLE DOWNTURN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CLOSURES. SMALL BUSINESS IS THE BACKBONE OUR COUNTY, STATE. AND COUNTRY THAT PRO INDIVIDUALS THE STEADY STREAM OF INCOMES TO LOCAL ECONOMIES IN THIS COUNTRY. REDAWN DISTRICTS TO THE DETRIMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS WILL HAVE A FAR REACHING DETRIMENTAL EFFECT TO L.A. COUNTY. THE MODEL ENGRAVED ON THE WALL BEHIND YOU THIS IS FOUNDED ON FREE ENTERPRISE, CHERISH AND HELP PRESERVE IT. PLEASE SUPPORT FREE ENTERPRISE AND ALL OUR SMALL BUSINESSES. I URGE YOU TO ADOPT A2.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. YES, SIR.
DARRELL GEORGE: MY NAME IS DARRELL GEORGE, CITY MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF DUARTE AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF OUR MAYOR, ZIDLE PARIS KARACHI WHO DID SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE REVIEW COMMITTEE SUPPORTING PLAN A-2. BRIEFLY, IT'S STATED THE CITY OF DUARTE HAS BEEN IN THE FIFTH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY FOR AS LONG AS WE CAN REMEMBER. WE FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT BEING IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT IS APPROPRIATE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND HAS SERVED OUR RESIDENTS VERY WELL THROUGH THE YEARS. WE SHARE COMMONALITY OF INTERESTS WITH NEIGHBORING CITIES IN THE DISTRICT AND ARE COMFORTABLE THAT OUR ISSUES ARE UNDERSTOOD AND WELL REPRESENTED BY THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP. AS YOU CONSIDER DISTRICT BOUNDARIES PLEASE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT DUARTE WOULD STRONGLY OPPOSE BEING RELOCATED TO ANOTHER DISTRICT. WE FEEL THAT THE ISSUES SHARED WITH OUR NEIGHBORS AS WELL AS OTHER SIMILAR CONCERNS MAKE IT IMPERATIVE THAT WE REMAIN WHOLLY GROUPED WITH THE CURRENT MAKEUP OF THE FIFTH DISTRICT. THANK YOU FOR TAKING OUR CONCERNS AND COMMENTS UNDER YOUR CONSIDERATION. SINCERELY, ZIDLE PARIS KARACHI, MAYOR OF DUARTE. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. YES, SIR.
PASIN CHANOU: GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS PASIN CHANOU, I'M CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF CAMBODIA TOWN WHICH IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IN LONG BEACH IN THE FOURTH LOS ANGELES COUNTY DISTRICT. CAMBODIA TOWN MISSION IS TO USE CAMBODIAN CULTURE AND CUSTOM AND TRADITIONS TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS IN CENTRAL LONG BEACH. SUPERVISOR DON KNABE HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF OUR MISSION. AND WE APPRECIATE HIS HELP TO OUR PROGRAM, SUCH AS RECENT CAMBODIA TOWN FOURTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. WE SUPPORT A-2 REDISTRICTING PLAN WHICH WOULD KEEP LONG BEACH HOME TO 50,000 CAMBODIAN AMERICAN RESIDENTS IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT. WE HAVE BUILT AN EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL THE A.A.P.I. GROUPS, SO WE ARE AGAINST ANY OF THE REDISTRICTING PLAN THAT WOULD SPLIT THE A.A.P.I. COMMUNITY, DILUTE OUR VOTE AND WEAKEN OUR VOICE. SPECIFICALLY, WE OPPOSE THE S-1 PLAN. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU, SIR. LET ME ALSO CALL UP STEVE GOLDSTEIN AND MAI LIEU MARANO.
KATHERINE GOULD: MY NAME IS KATHERINE GOULD AND MY NAME APPEARED UP THERE BUT MY BODY WASN'T HERE SO I THINK WE HAD A MIXUP. I AM HERE AS CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF THE PALOS VERDES PENINSULA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPRESENTING OVER 400 BUSINESSES AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHO LIVE AND DO BUSINESS IN ALL FOUR CITIES IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE PALOS VERDES PENINSULA INCLUDING SURROUNDING, TORRANCE, THE HARBOR AREA AND THE BEACH CITIES. THESE COMMUNITIES ARE ETHNICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DIVERSE. BUT THEY ALSO HAVE A GREAT DEAL IN COMMON, INCLUDING A DECADES-LONG CONNECTION TO THE FOURTH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT REPRESENTED BY SUPERVISOR DON KNABE. SUPERVISOR KNABE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS BROADER COMMUNITY AND HAS ACTIVELY SUPPORTED OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOBS PROGRAMS, SCHOOL ENRICHMENT IN ARTS PROGRAMS AND MUCH, MUCH MORE. HIS EFFORTS SUPPORT AND CONNECT ALL THE COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE FOURTH DISTRICT, HELPING US TO IN TURN SUPPORT EACH OTHER. PLAN S-1 WOULD CAUSE ASSISTING NICHE CAN'T DISRUPTION TO LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIPS. THE P.V. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE URGES YOU TO POLICE KEEP OUR COMMUNITY IN THE DISTRICT IN TACT BY ADOPTING A-2. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. YES, SIR.
JERRY GAINES: MAYOR MICHAEL ANTONOVICH AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, MY NAME IS JERRY GAINES. I'M A RESIDENT OF SAN PEDRO AND PART-TIME IN AVALON. ALSO A COMMISSIONER ON YOUR WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD. THIS AFTERNOON I'D LIKE EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR A-2 AND SUPERVISOR KNABE'S AMENDMENTS. I ECHO ALL OF WHAT YOU'VE HEARD FROM MANY PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN THE LAST HOUR OR SO, PARTICULARLY ON THE HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT YOU HEARD FROM THIS AFTERNOON. I ALLUDE TO AVALON WHICH HAS HAD MANY CRITICAL COUNTY SERVICE SUPPORT NEEDS RECENTLY EVEN A GRANT FOR A RECREATION NEEDS. IN SAN PEDRO, WE'VE _______ DISTRICT WHICH IS COUNTY ISLAND. IN SAN PEDRO, THE SUPERVISOR ________ THE DEANE DANA NATURE CENTER AND WHITE POINT BEACH ARE ALSO A VERY IMPORTANT COUNTY OUTCOMES WHICH I BELIEVE WOULD BE VERY MUCH DISRUPTED IF WE REORGANIZED TO AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT. SO I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU, SIR. GABBY RAMIREZ? YES, MA'AM.
MALOU MARIANO: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MALOU MARIANO, FILIPINO AMERICAN ON THE BOARD OF CAMBODIA TOWN ORGANIZATION. I LIVE IN DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH. AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN, I AM HERE TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT TO PRESERVE THE CURRENT BOUNDARIES IN THE FOURTH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY UNDER DON KNABE. SOME CONTEND THAT THERE WOULD BE NO ADVERSE EFFECTS IF OUR COMMUNITIES AND CITIES ARE DIVIDED, HOWEVER, THESE ARE PRECARIOUS TIMES WITH CUTBACKS, LAYOFFS WHEN STABILITY IS CRUCIAL. SUPERVISOR DON KNABE HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF SOUND LEADERSHIP WITH A VISION FOR THE FUTURE. I HOPE THAT OUR COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM HIS EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE. THIS IS ONLY POSSIBLE WITH APPROVAL OF PLAN A-2. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LOURDES FRAUSTO AND JORGE GONZALEZ. YES, SIR.
STEVE GOLDSTEIN: GOOD MORNING. STEVE GOLDSTEIN, RECENT PAST CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF THE REDONDO BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND VISITORS BUREAU. WE WOULD ASK YOU TO PLEASE SUPPORT A-2 AS THE LEAST DISRUPTIVE PLAN ON THE TABLE. AS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE 4TH DISTRICT IS A GEOGRAPHICALLY AND RACIALLY DIVERSE DISTRICT WHOSE CITIES COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR DECADES; WE SHARED THE SAME ISSUES WORKED TOGETHER THE ADDRESS THE UNIQUE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE IN COMMON. SPLITTING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND CITIES OUT OF THE CURRENT DISTRICT WOULD HAVE A PROFOUND NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. YES, MA'AM.
GABBY RAMIREZ: OH, GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS GABBY RAMIREZ. I'M A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF WILMINGTON AND AN ________ MEMBER. I CAME WITH 150 OTHER SUPPORTERS FROM DIFFERENT, _______, URBAN ARTS CREW, URBAN TEACHER FELLOWSHIP AND PRESCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS. BUT DUE TO A TIME LIMIT, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK. BUT ALL OF US ARE ENDORSING RECOMMENDATION OF A-2. WE DEVELOPED A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH DON KNABE, OUR SUPERVISOR, AND HIS STAFF. AND HE HAS BEEN VERY RESPONSIVE TO THE PEOPLE'S NEEDS IN MY COMMUNITY AND THE NONPROFITS IN OUR AREA. ONE OF THEM BEING IS V.C.C. HIS CONTRIBUTION TO OUR DISTRICT HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING AND HE SUPPORTED THE _______ GROUPS AND PROVIDED RESOURCES TO OUR COMMUNITY GARDEN IN WILMINGTON. WITH IF COMMUNITY GARDEN, WE'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. HE HAS ACTIVELY SUPPORTED US BY ATTENDING OUR COMMUNITY MEETINGS. I'M CONCERNED WITH THE S-1. WE DON'T WANT OUR BOUNDARIES TO CHANGE. WE WANT DON KNABE AND WE WANT TO STAY THE SAME. WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE HIM. AND WE DON'T WANT OUR DISTRICT DISRUPTED IN ANY WAY. WE DON'T WANT A NEW SUPERVISOR WITH NO EXPERIENCE AND DON'T WANT TO BE MOVED. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND I WANT TO REQUEST THE COMMITTEE TO RETAIN THE FOURTH DISTRICT AS IT IS RIGHT NOW.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE.] THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP CHAN EN HOPSON. YES, MA'AM.
LOURDES FRAUSTO: (IN SPANISH).
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: UN MEMENTO, WE NEED OUR TRANSLATOR. CAN YOU SPEAK NEXT AND THEN WE'LL GET THE TRANSLATOR?
GEOGE GONZALEZ: HELLO, MY NAME IS GEORGE GONZALEZ. I'M A PROUD U.S. COMBAT VETERAN AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT PLAN A-2. UPON HONORABLE DISCHARGE IN JUNE OF 2009, IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FIND EMPLOYMENT HERE IN MY HOME STATE OF CALIFORNIA. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF SUPERVISOR DON KNABE AND HIS STAFF, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND AND COMPLETE THE PROCESS TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF SUPERVISOR DON KNABE AND HIS STAFF, I WAS PREPARED FOR INTERVIEWS AND EMPLOYMENT AS A PROCESS OPERATOR. BECAUSE OF THIS, I AM NOW A PROCESS OPERATOR AT THE ARCHEMA CHEMICAL PLANT IN THE CITY OF TORRANCE. I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT PLAN S-1 WILL PUT AT RISK THESE INNOVATIVE JOB PROGRAMS BECAUSE THERE IS NO POSITIVE ASSURANCE THAT A NEW SUPERVISOR WOULD ALLOCATE RESOURCES TO SUSTAIN AND GROW JOB PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE PROCESS TECHNICIAN PROGRAM I WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE THANKS TO SUPERVISOR DON KNABE AND DEFINITELY HIS STAFF.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. WE HAVE AN INTERPRETER.
LOURDES FRAUSTO: MY NAME IS LOURDES FRAUSTO. I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE GROUP _________ FORMING THE CITY OF WILMINGTON. FOR OUR CITIES THAT ARE 90 PERCENT LATINO WHERE WE HAVE RECEIVED THE SUPPORT OF SUPERVISOR KNABE. HE'S VERY DEDICATED. HE WORRIES ABOUT OUR NECESSITIES FOR OUR PROGRESS IN THE AREAS. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO SUPERVISOR KNABE. WE NEED PEOPLE LIKE HIM THAT ARE DEDICATED AND THEY PROMISED AND THEY DO THE PROMISING AND THEY SUPPORT EVERYBODY ALWAYS. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND I'M FOR THE SUPPORT OF A-2.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP CANDACE NAFISSI, HYEPIN IM, KOREAN CHURCHES FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. PHILIP ROS, YOUTH LEADER, BERKELEY STUDENT. YES, MA'AM. YES, MA'AM.
CHAN EN HOPSON: SUPERVISORS, MY NAME IS CHAN EN HOPSON, I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF KHMER PARENTS ASSOCIATION IN LONG BEACH. I'M ALSO RESIDENT OF LONG BEACH FOR 30 YEARS. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT PLAN A TO KEEP DISTRICT 4 AS IT IS AND BECAUSE EQUALITY OPPORTUNITY IS AN ABSOLUTE SIGNIFICANT CONCEPT FOR OUR SMALL CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY. WE NEED OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO HAVE OUR VOICE HEARD. SUPERVISOR DON KNABE AND HIS WONDERFUL STAFF DID A WONDERFUL JOB IN HELPING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE FOR OVER 10 YEARS AND HE KNOWS WHAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS VERY WELL. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HIM TO STILL CONTINUE TO WORK AND TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND TO SUPPORT OUR NEXT GENERATION TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN. I URGE OUR SUPERVISOR TO VOTE FOR PLAN A-2. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. YES, SIR.
PHILIP ROS: THANK YOU, SUPERVISORS. MYMY NAME IS PHIL ROS, I AM A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY. I HAVE SPENT MY SUMMER LEARNING BY CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AS A VOLUNTEER AT THE UNITED CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY CENTER IN LONG BEACH WHERE I WAS BORN AND RAISED. I'M HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT PLAN A-2 AND KEEPING SUPERVISOR KNABE'S DISTRICT THE WAY IT IS. KNABE'S SUPPORT FOR SENIOR AND YOUTH PROGRAMS HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING AND HE HAS GIVEN A VOICE TO OUR OFTEN OVERLOOKED COMMUNITY. AS YOU MAY KNOW, LONG BEACH HAS THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF CAMBODIANS IN THE COUNTRY. ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY I URGE TO MAINTAIN KNABE'S DISTRICT SO THAT WE MAY KEEP OUR VOICE, CELEBRATE OUR DIVERSITY AND CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY EFFECTIVELY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP CHRIS SANCHEZ AND SOPHEAK TUON. YES, MA'AM.
CANDACE NAFISSI: HELLO, I'M CANDACE NAFISSI. I'M A RESIDENT OF TORRANCE AND ALSO ON BEHALF OF PEDIATRIC THERAPY NETWORK, A NONPROFIT IN TORRANCE. I'M HERE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR A-2. THE SUPERVISOR HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR ORGANIZATION AND OTHER NONPROFITS IN OUR DISTRICT AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH HIS STAFF AND THEY HAVE DEMONSTRATED AN AMAZING AMOUNT OF DEDICATION TO OUR ORGANIZATION. HISTORICALLY THE SOUTH BAY CITIES OF MARINA DEL RAY AND LONG BEACH HAVE BEEN GROUPED TOGETHER BECAUSE OF THE VERY UNIQUE ISSUES THAT SURROUND THEM. AND THE SOUTH BAY CITIES EVEN HAVE THEIR OWN NEWSPAPER, CABLE STATIONS AND HAVE GATHERED THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT GROUPS TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS THAT THEY HAVE BECAUSE THE CONCERNS THEY HAVE ARE VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE OUTSIDE CITIES. SO WE JUST WANT TO URGE YOU TO SUPPORT A-2 BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IT WILL DISPLACE AND IT WILL HAVE A PROFOUND NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
HYEPIN IM: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS HYEPIN IM. PRESIDENT OF KOREAN CHURCHES FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THAT WORKS WITH THE 4,000 CHURCHES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND 1,500 IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. I THINK TODAY IS CELEBRATE SUPERVISOR DON KNABE DAY. [APPLAUSE.] I THINK ALL THE POSITIVE COMMENTS DEMONSTRATE THAT RACE IS NOT ALWAYS A FACTOR. HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB. AT THE SAME TIME, I UNDERSTAND THE PREMISE OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE FAIR REPRESENTATION. AND I THINK THAT AT THE SAME TIME, THEY SAY THE RIGHT TO SWING YOUR FIST ENDS WHERE THE OTHER MAN'S NOSE BEGINS. AND FOR THE A.P.I. COMMUNITY, IT SEEMS THAT THE CURRENT A-2 PLAN ALLOWS FOR A GREATER OPPORTUNITY FOR THE API VOICE AND COMMUNITY TO BE AT THE TABLE. SO I SUPPORT THAT I SEE SUPERVISOR MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS. OREGON STATION IS IN THE SECOND DISTRICT. I REALLY WHATTENT TO SAY SOME REALLY GREAT THINGS ABOUT SUPERVISOR MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS WITH THE EMPOWERMENT CONGRESS. HE HAS REALLY ALLOWED FOR ACCESS IN TWO-WAY CONVERSATION. I HOPE THAT MODEL CARRIES THROUGH THE OTHER SUPERVISOR DISTRICTS. THANK YOU AGAIN.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: LET ME CALL UP RONALD THEE. AND ANN RUTH.
CHRIS SANCHEZ: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CHRIS SANCHEZ. I'M A RESIDENT OF HACIENDA HEIGHTS FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS. I'M ALSO A VOLUNTEER FOR SUPERVISOR KNABE'S FOURTH DISTRICT. AND I DISSEMINATE L.A. COUNTY INFORMATION AT VARIOUS PUBLIC VENUES, THE LARGEST BEING THE CONCERT IN THE PARK AT SCHABARUM PARK ATTRACTING OVER 2,500 PEOPLE EACH WEEK. IN THE SEVEN YEARS I'VE BEEN DISSEMINATING THIS INFORMATION, SUPERVISOR KNABE'S DISTRICT IS PROBABLY THE BEST INFORMED DUE TO HIS EFFORTS. I TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF UMBRAGE AT THE COMMENTS OF PROFESSOR LEVITT. HIS COMMENTS WERE TANTAMOUNT TO GERRYMANDERING ELECTIONS; IF A CANDIDATE IS EFFECTIVE WITH HIS COMMUNICATION WITH THE ELECTORATE, THEN HE IS THE CANDIDATE OF CHOICE REGARDLESS OF ETHNIC OR CULTURAL BACKGROUND. BUT LET'S GET DOWN TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. INCORPORATING 150 RESIDENTS INTO SUPERVISOR KNABE'S DISTRICT WILL BE LESS DISRUPTIVE THAN REASSIGNING THREE MILLION PEOPLE TO NEW DISTRICTS. LOGISTICALLY THIS MEANS NEW OFFICES, NEW STAFFS, UNFAMILIAR WITH THEIR CONSTITUENTS. THAT IS PHYSICALLY IRRESPONSIBLE.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU.
CHRIS SANCHEZ: THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: LET ME ALSO CALL UP MARCELO. EXCUSE ME ONE SECOND, MARCELLO BERMO. YES, SIR.
SPEAKER: GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS __________, I'M FROM CAMBODIAN ASSOCIATES IN AMERICA IN LONG BEACH. AND I REPRESENT CAMBODIAN ASSOCIATES IN AMERICA. WE ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE WE DISAGREE WITH THE REDISTRICTING PLAN. BECAUSE WE WANT TO KEEP OUR VOICE STRONG TO ADVOCATE OUR NEEDS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. REDISTRICTING WHAT HAPPENS, WE ARE DIVIDED. WE LOSE OUR VOICES. AND OUR VOICES ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO DO WHATEVER WE WANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY. ANYWAY, WE FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE EXISTING SOCIAL SETTING. IN REDISTRICTING, THERE ARE MANY NEW THINGS TO LEARN LIKE NEW STRUCTURE, NEW MECHANISM, NEW SERVICES AND NEW RULES. OUR PEOPLE HAVE A LANGUAGE BARRIER, SO IT IS DIFFICULT FOR US TO LEARN ALL THESE NEW THINGS. SO, FINALLY, I WOULD SAY REDISTRICTING IS HARD FOR US. AND IT WILL AFFECT EVERY ONE OF US AS CAMBODIANS.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU.
SPEAKER: SO WE STRONGLY OPPOSE IT.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU, SIR. LET ME ALSO CALL UP DELILA RAMOS. YES, MA'AM.
ANN RUTH: HELLO MY NAME IS ANN RUTH AND I SUPPORT THE A-2 PLAN FOR DON KNABE. HE'S BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR RANCHO LOS AMIGOS HOSPITAL. HE KNOWS THE PEOPLE. HE KNOWS THE STAFF. HE KNOWS THE DOCTORS. HE'S INVOLVED WITH THE FUNDRAISING, _____ PROGRAM AT PEDIATRICS KIDS. AND IT'S A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY. AND HE DOES A WONDERFUL JOB. HE'S THERE YEAR-ROUND FOR DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. HE JUST DOESN'T SHOW UP FOR THE RE-ELECTION, HE IS A CONTINUED SUPPORTER OF THE HOSPITAL. HE'S HAD A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON IT FOR MANY YEARS. SO WE'D LIKE TO CONTINUE TO KEEP HIM AS PART OF THE A-2 PROGRAM IN DISTRICT 4. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING OR GOOD AFTERNOON. I COME HERE AS A FIFTH DISTRICT RESIDENT OF ARCADIA AND WISH TO REMAIN SO IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT WITH MIKE ANTONOVICH. I RESPECT MY ASIAN, MY BLACK FRIENDS AND MY LATINO FRIENDS WHO I FREQUENT WITH AND HOPE THAT WE WOULD HAVE A COLORBLIND SOCIETY BY THIS POINT. THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT APPEARS TO BE SOMEWHAT OUTDATED. AND I THINK THAT WE'VE KIND OF GIVEN IT A LITTLE MORE LEEWAY INTO HOW WE DECIDE OUR DISTRICTS. I THINK THAT THE DISTRICTS BY THE VOTING RIGHTS ACTS ACTUALLY PERPETUATES RATHER THAN MITIGATES OR LITIGATES OR MINIMIZES RACIAL BOUNDARIES. AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S REALLY PROPER AT THIS POINT IN OUR PERIOD. I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER. WE'RE ALL ONE PEOPLE, ONE VOTE AS THE FAMOUS SAYING GOES: E PLURIBUS UNUM. IT'S PUT ON MANY OF OUR COINS, LET THIS PRINCIPLE AND NOT THE CREATION OF RACIAL BLOCKS INFORM AND GUIDE OUR REDISTRICTING PROCESS.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU, SIR.
MARCELLO BERMEL: GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS MARCELLO BERMEL AND I'M HERE WITH THE SOUTH BAY CENTER FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, I'M ONE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE APPROVE PLAN A-2. WE HAVE A VERY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH MR. KNABE. AND WE'VE ALWAYS SEEN HIS SUPPORT AT OUR COMMUNITY CONFERENCES. HE'S ACTIVELY SUPPORTED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRESCHOOL EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. AND IN THIS TIME OF ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY WITH A LOT OF NONPROFITS WE'VE FELT THAT MR. KNABE'S BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR ORGANIZATION AND ITS EFFORTS. PLEASE LIKE I SAID AN APPROVE A-2 AND DON'T LEAVE THE FUTURE OF OUR AGENCY. THAT'S IT.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: WE UNDERSTAND. THANK YOU, SIR. LET ME CALL UP ELI FORTNER. JENNIFER CAMARILLO AND JEFFREY SAUNDERS. YES, MA'AM.
DALILA RAMOS: HI, MY NAME IS DALILA RAMOS AND I'M FROM PALOS ________ FROM THE CITY OF LONG BEACH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SOUTH BAY. AND I WANT YOU GUYS TO APPROVE PLAN A-2. SUPERVISOR KNABE AND HIS STAFF HAVE BEEN SUPPORT TO US IN OUR COMMUNITY EVENTS AND A NEW SUPERVISOR WITH NEW STAFF WE DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD BE THE SAME SUPPORT OF THE ONE THAT WE HAVE NOW. SO THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME CALL SO CALL UP KATHERINE GOULD. KATHERINE GOULD ALREADY SPOKE? PAUL VELEZ. PAUL VELEZ. YES, SIR. YES.
JERRY SAUNDERS: MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MY NAME IS JERRY SAUNDERS. I'M A RESIDENT OF THE SOUTH BAY. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN WEST L.A. AND ATTENDED EMERSON JUNIOR HIGH AND UNIVERSITY HIGH. BOTH HAD RACIALLY DIVERSE POPULATIONS, INCLUDING SIGNIFICANT LATINO POPULATION. AS A LIFE LONG RESIDENT OF L.A. COUNTY, I URGE YOUR SUPPORT FOR PLAN A-2 AS RECOMMENDED AND THE AMENDMENTS, I SUPPORT THE AMENDMENTS BY SUPERVISOR KNABE. AS THE MOST RACIALLY DIVERSE COUNTY IN LOS ANGELES, OR DIVERSE COUNTY IN THE THE NATION, I SHOULD SAY, I SUPPORT THE COUNTY'S COUNCIL'S INTERPRETATION OF THE PLAN A-2, THAT PLAN A-2 COMPLIES WITH THE FEDERAL VOTING ACT. DRAWING LINES ON BASIS OF RACE IS COUNTER TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALL VOTERS IN L.A. COUNTY.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
JERRY SAUNDERS: THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO, BEFORE YOU SPEAK, MA'AM, CALL UP MAE CHU. YES, MA'AM.
JENNIFER CAMARILLO: HI. MY NAME IS JENNIFER CAMARILLO, FROM WILMINGTON. THE URBAN TEACHER FELLOWSHIP AND MYSELF. U.T.F. IS A PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WANTING TO PURSUE A CAREER IN TEACHING. IF IT WEREN'T FOR SUPERVISOR KNABE'S SUPPORT, I WOULDN'T BE AT CAL STATE DOMINGOS HILLS PURSUING MY BACHELOR'S IN LIBERAL ARTS. THAT IS WHY I FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT FOR WILMINGTON TO STAY IN SUPERVISOR KNABE'S DISTRICT, TO HELP MYSELF AND FUTURE STUDENTS WANTING TO PURSUE A CAREER IN TEACHING. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP ROGER VAN WERT.
ELI FORNIER: GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, ALL THE SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS ELI FORNIER, I'M A MEXICAN-AMERICAN BORN AND RAISED IN THE SOUTH BAY LIVING IN WILMINGTON ALL MY LIFE. I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE URBAN ARTS CREW. IT'S A PROGRAM THAT WORKS WITH YOUTH THAT TAKES THEM FROM TAGGERS TO ARTISTS. I'M AND HERE REPRESENTINGLE OVER 280 STUDENTS THAT WE'VE WORKED WITH OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS AND THROUGH THE VISION AND SUPPORT OF DON KNABE, WE'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP AND WORK WITH A LOT OF THESE STUDENTS. I'M HERE REPRESENTING MOST OF THE YOUTH THAT SOME OF THEM COULDN'T BE HERE AND ALSO MY CITY. AND I BELIEVE THAT PLAN A-2 SHOULD BE APPROVED AND NEED TO BE APPROVED. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP LOUIS LOGAN. YES, MA'AM.
PAUL VELEZ-SALAZAR: HI, GOOD AFTERNOON. SUPERVISOR, MY NAME IS PAUL VELEZ-SALAZAR. I LIVE IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA. AND ALSO I'M A VETERAN OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. I'M REPRESENTING SOUTH BAY CENTER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS ENERGY PATHWAYS. WHAT ENERGY PATHWAYS IS BASICALLY A REPRESENT A LOT OF VETERANS, ALMOST 300-PLUS VETERANS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH OUR DOORS. AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE HELPED THEM PUT THEM INTO TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT. SO FAR 85 PERCENT JOB PLACEMENT HAS BEEN PRETTY HIGH. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN, MR. DON KNABE FOR SUPPORTING US AND BEING THE VOICE OF OUR VETERAN COMMUNITY IN THE LONG BEACH AREA AND TORRANCE AND DISTRICT 4. WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT, THIS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. AND I JUST WANT ALL THE SUPERVISORS TO UNDERSTAND THAT HE SUPPORTS VETERANS. AND I JUST HOPE AS YOU GUYS SUPPORT US COMING BACK FROM IRAQ AFGHANISTAN, PLEASE APPROVE A-2 AND I JUST WANT TO KEEP HIM IN OUR DISTRICT AND HE'S A GREAT TOOL FOR US, THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE.]
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: ALSO CALL UP RAYMOND CHAVARRIA FROM UNITED CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY.
MAE CHU: MR. MAYOR, SUPERVISORS, GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MAE CHU. I'M ONE OF THE CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS OF HACIENDA HEIGHTS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION AND A STAFF FROM HSI LAI TEMPLE AT HACIENDA HEIGHTS. AND THE RESIDENTS OF HACIENDA HEIGHTS FOR 12 YEARS. AND THANK YOU FOR SUPERVISOR KNABE. HE HAS A VERY LONG AND STEADY RELATIONSHIP WITH RESIDENTS OF HACIENDA HEIGHTS BECAUSE HE UNDERSTANDS THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS OF HACIENDA HEIGHTS. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AND CRUCIAL FOR US TO STAY IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT. SO PLEASE, I WILL URGE YOU TO VOTE FOR PLAN A-2. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU, MS. CHU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP ANDREA HEGYBELI. YES, SIR.
ROGER VAN WERT: GOOD MORNING, MAYOR ANTONOVICH AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. MY NAME IS ROGER VAN WERT. I'M A 40-YEAR RESIDENT OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT, AND I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF A-2. TO ME, LISTENING TO THE TESTIMONY THIS MORNING, IT'S OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THE PROPONENTS OF S-1 HAVE NOT MADE A COMPELLING CASE FOR SUCH RADICAL CHANGE. AND I URGE THE BOARD TO SUPPORT THE CONCEPTS OF CONTINUITY, MINIMAL DISRUPTION AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT BY SUPPORTING THE A-2. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP DAN HOFFMAN. YES, SIR.
RAYMOND CHAVARRIA: MY NAME IS RAYMOND CHAVARRIA A 30-YEAR RESIDENT, CITY OF LONG BEACH. ALSO ASSOCIATE PROJECT DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY AND PREISDENT OF LATIN AMERICAN COMMUNITY CENTER. I SUPPORT THE A-2 PLAN WHICH CLOSELY MAINTAINS OUR CURRENT DISTRICT. ONE REASON IS DIVERSITY WHICH IS OUR STRENGTH. DO NOT ISOLATE ONE ETHNIC GROUP AGAINST THE OTHER. INSTEAD WE NEED TO EMBRACE IT. I LIVE AND WORK AND SERVE THE A.P.I. COMMUNITY AND THE CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY IN LONG BEACH WHO HAS BEEN REPRESENTED BY CURRENT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DON KNABE. WE NEED TO KEEP THE CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY AS ONE AND DO NOT DIVIDE LONG BEACH. DON KNABE HAS BEEN A GREAT SUPPORTER OF THE DISTRICT 4. I'VE KNOWN DON KNABE FOR OVER 20 YEARS AS I WORK FOR MANY NONPROFITS. AND HE IS THERE FOR EVERY ETHNIC GROUP, FOR EVERY ISSUE THAT WE HAVE FROM YOUTH, FROM SENIOR, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. SO I SUPPORT THE DISTRICT 4. LET'S KEEP A-2 PLAN TOGETHER AS ONE UNITED DISTRICT. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ANDREA HEGABELI: GOOD AFTERNOON. SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS ANDREA HEGABELI. I'M HERE AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN. AN ORIGINAL ANGELINO AND I RESIDE IN SAN PEDRO. SUPERVISOR KNABE HAS SERVED OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY VERY WELL AND ITS MANY NONPROFITS. I REQUEST THAT YOU SUPPORT THE PLAN OF A-2, THE LEAST DISRUPTIVE CHOICE FOR THE 15TH COUNCIL DISTRICT OF LOS ANGELES. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. STEPHANIE MARDESICH, ALEX HOLSHEIMER, LISA FRICKE, AND CHERYL ANDERSON- BUTLER. LET ME ALSO CALL UP ANNE WILLIAMS, SUSIE YELLOW HORSE JENSEN.
STEPHANIE MARDISICH: HELLO, I'M STEPHANIE MARDISICH. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SAN PEDRO. I'M ALSO THE DIRECTOR, FOUNDER OF THE L.A. HARBOR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. MY FAMILY GOES BACK NEWCOMERS ABOUT 100 YEARS. AND ARE ASSOCIATED WITH MY GRANDFATHER WHO IS A FOUNDER AND PIONEER OF THE CALIFORNIA TUNA AND CANNING INDUSTRY. I'M HERE TODAY AND BY THE WAY IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE IN YOUR PRESENCE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. LAST TIME I WAS HERE AND WAS UP TO SPEAK I WAS LISTENING WHEN SUPERVISOR KNABE VERY GRACIOUSLY MADE A VERBAL ADJOURNMENT IN HONOR OF MY LATE MOTHER, LEE MARDISICH WHO IS INDEED HERE ABOUT ME IN SPIRIT TODAY. AND TODAY I'M HERE AS AN INDIVIDUAL ALTHOUGH, FRANKLY, I'M FEELING A MINORITY AS THE SINGLE WHITE FEMALE. NOBODY SEEMS TO BE SPEAKING UP FOR ME SO I'LL DO THAT FOR MYSELF. AND I'M ALSO HERE UNOFFICIALLY FOR DOZENS OF PEOPLE FROM SAN PEDRO WHO COULDN'T BE HERE BECAUSE OF WORK OR VACATIONS, WHATEVER, WHO ABDICATE FOR KEEPING US THE A-2 AREA. SUPERVISOR KNABE HAS FOR DECADES REPRESENTED THE DISTINCTIVE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITIES, ATTENTIVE TO CONCERNS PRODUCTIVE IN LOOKING OUT FOR THE BEST INTERESTS CIVICALLY, CULTURALLY, ETHNICALLY AND ETHICALLY.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SHORTEN IT.
STEPHANIE MARDISICH: CHANGE IS A GOOD THING SOMETIMES. BUT IN MANY CASES, IT IS NOT WHEN IT DISRUPTS AND WILL NOT UNIFY COMMUNITIES. IN FACT, IT WOULD BE LIKE A BAD DATE IF WE BREAK THIS UP. GEOGRAPHICALLY UNDESIRABLE. SO LET'S KEEP US ALL TOGETHER. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YES, SIR.
ALEX HOLSHEIMER: GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU, MAYOR ANTONOVICH AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS ALEX HOLSHEIMER AND I'M WITH THE THAI COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER. AND I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS THAT OUR COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW IS CURRENTLY SERVED BY THE THIRD SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT AND WE HAVE BEEN APPRECIATIVE OF SUPERVISOR ZEV YAROSLAVSKY AND REALLY MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE THAI COMMUNITY. AND WE'RE FORTUNATE THAT THE THAI COMMUNITY IS CURRENTLY BEING COMPREHENSIVELY COVERED BY THE THIRD DISTRICT. THE THAI COMMUNITY PRIMARILY RESIDES IN HOLLYWOOD, EAST HOLLYWOOD AND ALSO NORTH HOLLYWOOD AND THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY AREA. SO WE HAVE APPRECIATED THIS ACCESS AND RELATIONSHIP OVER THE YEARS WITH SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY AND IN ORDER TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE THAI COMMUNITY IN THE FUTURE, WE URGE FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE A-2 PLAN. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. YES, SIR.
DAN HOFFMAN: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS DAN HOFFMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE WILMINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU. ON JULY 14TH, OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO KEEP THE FOURTH DISTRICT INTACT AS BEST WE COULD. AND THEREFORE, WE SUPPORT A-2. I SHOULD MENTION THAT ON OUR BOARD, WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES THAT ARE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE YMCA, FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS' CLUB, THAT SIT ON THE LIONS CLUB, THE ROTARY CLUB AND A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF OUR WILMINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL. SO, YES, WE'D LOVE TO KEEP THIS DISTRICTS INTACT AND DEFINITELY SUPERVISOR IS IN TUNE AND IN TOUCH. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU.
ANNE WILLIAMS: GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M ANNE WILLIAMS WITH THE CENTRAL CITY ASSOCIATION. C.C.A.'S 450 MEMBERS EMPLOY OVER 350,000 PEOPLE IN THE LOS ANGELES REGION WITH A PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON DOWNTOWN. AS YOU KNOW, DOWNTOWN L.A. IS AN ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THE ENTIRE REGION. AND STARTING AROUND 1999 C.C.A. HAS HELPED TO IGNITE AND NURTURE THE INCREDIBLE REBIRTH OF THE CITY'S CORE. BUT THE SUCCESS OF THIS ONGOING RENAISSANCE IS NOT A FOREGONE CONCLUSION, AND PROJECTS SUCH AS STAPLES CENTER AND L.A. LIVE HAVE HELPED REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN. BUT FUTURE PROJECTS SUCH AS THE PROPOSED NFL STADIUM WILL SUSTAIN THAT GROWTH. TO KEEP IT MOVING, WE NEED TO KEEP DOWNTOWN'S KEY ECONOMIC ASSETS TOGETHER UNDER UNIFIED POLITICAL LEADERSHIP WITH A COMMON VISION. YOU KNOW THAT DOWNTOWN L.A. IS A COMMUNITY OF INTEREST IN ITS ROLE AS A REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORCE, BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT IT'S ALSO A BUSTLING RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD? AND THAT SINCE THE LAST CENSUS, THE POPULATION OF DOWNTOWN HAS NEARLY TRIPLED AND NOW TOPS OVER 50,000 PEOPLE. DOWNTOWN IS A VIBRANT ECONOMIC AND RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY MUCH INTERESTS THAT MUST REMAIN POLITICALLY UNITED TO MAKE SURE OUR RENAISSANCE CONTINUES.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET'S CALL UP LEN CHEN AND TERI MALKIN.
LISA FRICKE: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS LISA FRICKE AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN CITIES. WE REPRESENT RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS IN 54 CITIES IN SOUTH LOS ANGELES COUNTY PRIMARILY IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS AND THE TENANTS THEY PROVIDE SHELTER FOR, OUR ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS ABOUT 2.5 MILLION PEOPLE. MANY OF THESE PEOPLE WILL BE IMPACTED BY THE S-1 PLAN. IF THAT PLAN IS ADOPTED, IT WILL BE TERRIBLY DISRUPTIVE TO THE PEOPLE AND WILL REQUIRE EXTRA COUNTY FUNDING TO MOVE OFFICES AND PROVIDE SERVICES. IN THIS TIME OF ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, THE ASSOCIATION FEELS THERE ARE BETTER PLACES FOR THESE FUNDS TO BE SPENT. IF THE S-1 PLAN IS ACCEPTED, THE BEACH COMMUNITIES FROM MARINA DEL REY TO LONG BEACH WILL BE MOVED OUT OF DISTRICT 4. THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE A HISTORY OF WORKING TOGETHER ON COMMON PROBLEMS THAT PRE-DATES THE ELECTION OF SUPERVISOR KNABE. IN OTHER WORDS, IT'S A GROUP OF COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE LEARNED TO WORK TOGETHER IN A POSITIVE, PRODUCTIVE AND EFFICIENT WAY. THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN CITIES STRONGLY REQUESTS THAT THE PLAN A-2 BE ACCEPTED.
SUP. KNABE: THANK YOU. SUSIE YELLOWHORSE.
SUSIE YELLOW HOURSE JENSEN: HI, MY NAME IS SUSIE YELLOWHORSE JENSEN. I'M FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INDIAN CENTER AND WE HAVE A STRONG, LONG HISTORY WORK RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SOUTH BASE CENTER COUNSELING WITH SPA 8. BEING A RESIDENT OF THE SAN PEDRO, A MOTHER, A GRANDMOTHER AND AUNT AND TWO EXTENDED FAMILIES, THE 2011 CENSUS WITH THE AMERICAN INDIAN POPULATION GREW OVER 250,000 AMERICAN INDIANS LIVE IN THE L.A. COUNTY ORANGE COUNTY AND THE SOUTH BAY. IN SUPPORT OF THE PLAN A-2 PLAN IS REALLY VITAL TO THE PROGRAM AND SERVICES. TO DISRUPT IT WOULD DELAY SERVICES FOR EVERYONE. BEING SO I WORK FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INDIAN CENTER WHO SERVICES THE LARGEST POPULATION IN L.A. COUNTY WITH THE AMERICAN INDIAN FAMILY PARTNERHSIP AND THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, I ALSO WORK WITH THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD IN THE SOUTH BAY. SAYING THIS, THE COMMUNITY SPLIT AND THE EFFECTIVENESS, THE EXTENDED FAMILIES ARE VERY INTEGRATED THROUGHOUT THE REGION EVEN MORE SO DOWN IN THE SOUTH BAY WITH AMERICAN INDIANS INTERMARRIAGE WITH THE LATINO POPULATION. SO I WOULD SAY CHILDREN FIRST, FAMILIES FIRST. THAT'S THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF COMING TOGETHER AND WORKING TOGETHER, TO KEEP THINGS THE WAY THEY ARE, LISTENING TO THE HISTORICAL AND THE CULTURAL EFFECTS OF OUR PEOPLE HERE IN L.A. COUNTY. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SOVANA HAS, SHARI WEAVER? [APPLAUSE.]
LA DEAN CHAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR, THANK YOU SUPERVISOR. MY NAME IS LA DEAN CHAN REPRESENTING ST. MARY MEDICAL CENTER AND ALSO WORK FOR THE EN3 PROGRAM WHICH IS A YOUTH PROGRAM IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT, DON KNABE HAS BEEN A STRONG SUPPORTER OF OUR YOUTH PROGRAM. AND I ALSO LIVE, WORK AND SERVE IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT. I SUPPORT THE KEEPING THE CURRENT A-2 PLAN, DIVIDING UP THE FOURTH DISTRICT WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY DILUTE THE A.P.I. VOTING STRENGTH ESPECIALLY THE CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY AND THE YOUTH VOICE WOULD NOT BE HEARD ALSO. DON'T SPLIT THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS SHARED THE SAME INTERESTS, SERVICE AND REPRESENTATION OVER 20 YEARS. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP CAROLINE BRADY, CAROLINE? YES, MA'AM.
TERI MALKIN: HI, I'M TERI MALKIN AND I'M A RESIDENT OF ROLAND HEIGHTS, A MEMBER OF R.H.C.C., OUR TOWN COUNCIL. I'M ACTIVE IN THE YOUTH SCIENCE CENTER AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN DON KNABE'S DISTRICT. AND I AM IN FAVOR OF KEEPING A-2. WE HAVE, THROUGH THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND THROUGH THE COMMUNITY, DON KNABE'S BEEN A FANTASTIC SUPPORTER, BOTH HE AND HIS STAFF. AND WE WOULD HATE TO START SQUARE 1 DEVELOPING THESE RELATIONSHIPS BECAUSE IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO DEVELOP THEM AND THEY'RE VERY DEEP AND COMPREHENSIVE AND HE TRULY UNDERSTANDS THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. IT WOULD SECOND BE VERY DISRUPTIVE IF WE HAD TO MOVE A LOT OF- TRANSFER A LOT OF PEOPLE. AND THIS PLAN IS THE LEAST DISRUPTIVE. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, DON KNABE REPRESENTS OUR VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY. IN MOST OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS, WE'RE VERY DIVERSE. AND WE'RE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER. AND I THINK IF THE OTHER PLAN S-1 IS APPROVED, I THINK THAT WOULD SERIOUSLY IMPEDE OTHER GROUPS SUCH AS THE A.P.I. GROUP, WHICH IS A GROWING MINORITY IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH WHICH WE HAVE- THEY'RE A VERY STRONG MINORITY, INCREASING MINORITY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE.]
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: LET ME --
SHARI WEAVER: MY NAME IS SHARI WEAVER I'M FROM HARBOR INTERFAITH SERVICES IN SAN PEDRO AND SUPERVISOR KNABE IS OUR COUNTY SUPERVISOR FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SUPPORT. WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE HOMELESS AND WORKING POOR IN OUR COMMUNITY. ON AN ANNUAL BASIS WE SERVE OVER 15,000 MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN, OF WHICH 60 PERCENT ARE HISPANIC. SUPERVISOR KNABE'S LEADERSHIP POSITIVELY IMPACTS THE WORK WE ARE DOING, INCLUDING HELPING THOSE WE SERVE OBTAIN HOUSING, JOBS, CHILDCARE, EDUCATION, AND ULTIMATELY SELF-SUFFICIENCY. SUPERVISOR KNABE KNOWS THE NEEDS, ISSUES AND CHALLENGES OF HIS CONSTITUENTS IN HIS DISTRICT AND HE SERVES THEM CONCIENTIOUSLY AND WITH DIGNITY. WE WOULD LIKE TO THROW OUR SUPPORT TOWARDS PLAN A-2. AND WE STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THE PLANS FOR MAJOR REDISTRICTING. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP LYNN EBENKANP AND VANESSA ROMAIN.
SOVANA HAS: GOOD AFTERNOON BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND MAYOR. MY NAME IS SOVANA HAS. IM A YOUTH ORGANIZER FOR THE EM3 PROGRAM WHICH STANDS FOR EDUCATED MEN WITH MEANINGFUL MESSAGES. UNDER THE AGENCY OF FAMILIES OF GOOD HEALTH LOCATED IN ST. MARY'S MEDICAL CENTER IN LONG BEACH. I UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SPEAK ABOUT IS REPETITIVE TODAY BUT IT ALSO SHOWS THE HIGH LEVEL OF IMPORTANCE AND CONCERN IF S-1 IS APPROVED. IT WOULD BASICALLY CAUSE A DRAMATIC CHANGE WITH THE POPULATION, SHIFTING IT OVER. AS THE PLAN WILL ALSO DIVIDE THE A.P.I. COMMUNITY IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT. THIS WILL ALSO MEAN THAT THE VOTING NUMBERS WILL BE DILUTED AND CAN BE LOST. SO OUR VOICE WILL BE HEARD ONLY AT A MINIMUM. WITH THAT BEING SAID, OUR CONCERNS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY WILL HAVE A STRONG POSSIBILITY OF NOT BEING ACCOUNTED FOR. SO I AM IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE RECOMMENDED A-2 PLAN. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MENTION THAT SUPERVISOR KNABE HAS PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE AN EFFECTIVE ROLE IN SUPPORTING AND HEARING OUT THE A.P.I. COMMUNITY IN LONG BEACH. AND FINALLY I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP MELINA ABDULLAH. YES, MA'AM.
CAROLINE BRADY: HI MY NAME IS CAROLINE BRADY CINCO. I'M FOR HARBOR INTERFAITH SERVICES A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES MORE THAN 15,000 HOMELESS AND WORKING POOR IN THE HARBOR AREA OF LOS ANGELES. WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF BUILDING A NEW THREE-STORY FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER. AND THIS PROJECT SIMPLY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF COUNTY SUPERVISOR DON KNABE WHO NOT ONLY IDENTIFIED A BULK OF THE FUNDING BUT THROUGH HIS SUPPORT BEHIND US WE COULD RAISE THE REMAINDER OF THE FUNDS NECESSARY. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE TO BE HOMELESS OR POOR TO REPRESENT PEOPLE IN NEED. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A MINORITY TO REPRESENT THOSE WHO DESERVE A VOICE. YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE AN EAR TO LISTEN AND A HEART TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT. WE SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF A-2 PLAN. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP TUNUA THRASH. YES, MA'AM.
LYNN EBANKANP: MY NAME IS LYNN EBANKANP AND I'M FROM ROWLAND HEIGHTS. THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME STANDING SUPPORT THE A-2 PLAN FOR SEVERAL REASONS. IT MOVES ONLY 150,000 RESIDENTS INSTEAD OF NEARLY 3.4 MILLION TO NEW DISTRICTS AS THE S-1 PLAN DOES. CHANGES ARE COSTLY, BOTH IN TIME AND MONEY. AND THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS WILL PAY FOR THIS DEARLY WITH THEIR SERVICES. I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT IN LOOKING AT THE PLANS, WHAT I SEE IS DISTRICT 1, 2 AND 4 ALL HAVING MORE LATINO RESIDENTS THAN THE OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF THOSE DISTRICTS. SO THE A-2 PLAN SEEMS FAIRER FOR ALL CONCERNED. THE DISTRIBUTION IN OUR COMMUNITY OF THE ETHNIC GROUPS IS BETTER AND GIVES A CHANCE FOR ANY MINORITY TO RUN FOR OFFICE AND BE ELECTED. IT CREATES A DISTRICT THAT HAS ETHNICITIES WHO ARE DIVERSE, AND THE S-1 PLAN WOULD INCREASE THE HISPANIC POPULATION OF DISTRICT 4 TO ALMOST 52 PERCENT. THAT'S VIRTUALLY ELIMINATING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CANDIDATE OF ANY OTHER ETHNICITY RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND WINNING. I AM A BROWN-SKINNED PERSON. I'M A FEMALE AND A SENIOR AND I WAS BORN IN CENTRAL AMERICA. AND I HAVE TO ADMIT THE S-2 PLAN CREATES A STACKED DECK. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND APPROVE THE A-2 PLAN AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF REGIONAL. [APPLAUSE.]
SPEAKER: I WANT TO SAY DITTO TO EVERYTHING EVERYONE SAID TODAY HAVE I THINK IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE DAY TO HEAR THAT PEOPLE WANT TO KEEP OUR DISTRICT TOGETHER AND THAT IS IN SUPPORT OF A-2. NOT ONLY THAT, I THINK IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE DAY TO SAY TO DON KNABE THAT HE HAS BEEN A REPRESENTATIVE. WHEN WE SAY THAT, WE KNOW DON KNABE AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR DISTRICT. HE LISTENS TO US. HE KNOWS US PERSONALLY. HE MAKES JOKES. HE MAKES US LAUGH. AND HE ALSO IS A GOOD MAN. SO LET'S KEEP OUR DISTRICT TOGETHER. AND I SUPPORT THAT WHOLE CONCEPT. THANK YOU, DON.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE.] YES, MA'AM.
MELINA ABDULLAH: HI, MY NAME IS MELINA ABDULLAH AND I'M A PROFESSOR OF PAN-AFRICAN STUDIES AND POLITICAL SCIENCE AT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LOS ANGELES. AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT S-1. ON MY DRIVE OVER HERE, I KEPT HEARING THE VOICE OF FANNIE LOU HAMER IN MY MIND AND I WAS HEARING HER VOICE SAYING "I'M SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED." AND I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND THE VOTING RIGHTS IN THE UNITED STATES. PEOPLE OF COLOR WERE GIVEN THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE IN 1870 WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE 15TH AMENDMENT BUT WE KNOW THAT STATES AND MUNICIPALITIES BLOCKED OUR RIGHT TO VOTE AND THROUGH A LONG HISTORY OF STRUGGLE, WOMEN LIKE FANNIE LOU HAMER WE FINALLY WON THAT RIGHT IN 1965. THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT WAS SEEN AS THE CAPSTONE OF THIS MOVEMENT. BUT WE ALSO SAW SOMETHING ELSE HAPPEN. THE REALITY BEING THAT PEOPLE OF COLOR WERE STILL NOT FULLY REPRESENTED. AND SO WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, WE ALSO SAW THE RISE OF REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENTS AND THE USE OF LITIGATION AS A MEANS OF EMPOWERMENT. AND SO I'D LIKE TO ENCOURAGE S-1 BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT IT MORE FULLY REPRESENTS COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST. IT ALLOWS THE PROTECTED INDIVIDUALS, IT PROTECTS THE RIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL VOTERS AND IT INABILITIES CITIZENS TO ELECT THEIR CANDIDATES OF CHOICE. AS TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, THE LATINO POPULATION IN L.A. COUNTY IS 48 PERCENT. THE C.V.A.P. NUMBER IS 34 PERCENT. IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION, THE S-1 PLAN DOES THAT. A-2 SIMPLY MAINTAINS THE STATUS QUO. IT UNDERREPRESENTS LATINOS. IT INVITES LAWSUITS. AND IT PACKS LATINO COMMUNITIES AND LATINO VOTERS TOO TIGHTLY. S-1 ENFRANCHISES LATINO VOTING POPULATIONS, IT OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR COALITION BUILDING, THE MAP IS MORE INCLUSIVE, IT AFFIRMS GOVERNMENTAL LEGITIMACY BY ENFRANCHISING LATINO VOTERS MORE FULLY. AND IT DOESN'T POSE THE SAME THREAT OF SUIT OR OF REVOLUTIONARY MEANS THAT A-2 DOES. SO I ENCOURAGE THE SUPPORT OF PLAN S-1.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE.] LET ME ALSO CALL UP EFREN MARTINEZ, LAWRENCE LUE AND LEON JENKINS. YES, MA'AM.
TUNUA THRASH: GOOD AFTERNOON OR GOOD MORNING STILL OR AFTERNOON NOW. I'VE BEEN HERE A LITTLE WHILE. MY NAME IS TUNUA THRASH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND A MEMBER OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN REDISTRICTING COLLABORATIVE. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS THE GREEN LIGHTING INSTITUTE STATEWIDE COORDINATOR ON STATE REDISTRICTING. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW I WORKED ALONGSIDE MARK ___________, HARRIS DAWSON AND MS. JACKIE DUPONT WALKER WHO PRESENTED THE PLAN WHICH IS KNOWN AS S-1. TODAY I'D LIKE TO REMIND YOU THAT WE DREW THIS PLAN USING INPUT FROM FAITH-BASED, SMALL BUSINESS AND ORGANIZED LABOR. WE DREW A COMMUNITY OF INTEREST TESTIMONY GATHERED THROUGH NUMEROUS COMMUNITY MEETINGS HELD AROUND THE REGION. ALL SOCIOECONOMIC AND ETHNIC COMMUNITIES INCLUDING INSIGHT GAINED FROM PARTNER INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS _____, MALDEF, _________. AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CALIFORNIA REDISTRICTING COALITION. TODAY'S CONVERSATION SHOULD NOT BE CELEBRATING MOBILIZATION EFFORTS AND EMAIL BLASTS. REDISTRICTING IS NOT ABOUT INTIMIDATION. RATHER, IT IS AN ACT THAT PROMOTES ACCOUNTABILITY. I URGE YOU TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO ALL ANGELINOS BY VOTING FOR S-1, A MAP THAT PROVIDES REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR REAL PEOPLE. AFRICAN-AMERICANS IS THE DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 CONTINUE TO LEAD THE FIGHT TO ENSURE THAT MORE COMMUNITIES AS THE ACT HAS DONE OVER THE YEARS CONTINUE TO BE INCLUDED IN THAT UMBRELLA. THE 1965 VOTING RIGHTS ACT HAS HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE AS A HALLMARK ACHIEVEMENT FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. NOW THE PUSH IS FOR EMPOWERMENT. THE MAPS THAT WE DREW INCLUDE TWO LATINO DISTRICTS. SOME WOULD SAY IF IT'S NOT BROKE, WHY FIX IT? WE WOULD ASK IF IT'S NOT BROKEN FOR WHOM, THE BOARD SHOULD AVOID THE APPEARANCE OF INCUMBENT PROTECTION, EFFECTIVE REPRESENTATION AND THE ABILITY TO WILL POWER OF THE FRANCHISE IS CRITICAL TO PUBLIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION. DISTRICT BOUNDARIES DEFINE THE TERRAIN UPON WHICH ELECTORAL EMPOWERMENT OCCURS. WE URGE YOU TO CONSIDER AND VOTE FOR MAP S-1. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE.]
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. ALSO CALL UP JACKIE DU PONT WALKER. YES, SIR.
EFREN MARTINEZ: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: GIVE YOUR NAME FIRST.
EFREN MARTINEZ: MY NAME IS EFREN MARTINEZ OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLORENCE-FIRESTONE WALNUT PARK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LOCATED IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF THE COUNTY. ALTHOUGH OUR COMMUNITY WOULD ENCOUNTER A CHANGE OF COUNTY SUPERVISOR, OUR CHAMBER, BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS OF THE FLORENCE-FIRESTONE AND WALNUT PARK COMMUNITIES AGREE WITH AND STRONGLY SUPPORT THE AMENDED S-1 PLAN KNOWN AS THE LATINO AFRICAN-AMERICAN COALITION MAP, WHICH WOULD CREATE TWO LATINO SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS AND KEEP IT COMPETITIVE AFRICAN-AMERICAN DISTRICT. THE AMENDED S-1 PLAN ADDRESSES THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY HISTORY OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AT THE BALLOT BOX. IN 1991, WHEN AS A RESULT OF THE GARZA VERSUS COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES CASE, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT FORCED THE COUNTY TO REDRAW ITS DISTRICT LINES TO FAIRLY ALLOW LATINO REPRESENTATION. MUST WE GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN AND THROW AWAY OUR TAXPAYERS' MONEY DURING THESE HARD FINANCIAL TIMES? AND I'LL FINISH OFF WITH THIS QUOTE. AS THE GREAT DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING ONCE SAID "THE ULTIMATE MEASURE OF A MAN IS NOT WHERE HE STANDS IN MOMENTS OF COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE BUT WHERE HE STANDS AT TIMES OF CHALLENGE AND CONTROVERSY." THEREFORE, I ASK YOU TO THINK NOT OF YOURSELVES, YOUR ETHNICITY AND/OR YOUR SELF-INTERESTS BUT TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND SUPPORT THIS HISTORICAL VOTE ON THE AMENDED S-1 PLAN. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP ERICA TESSLEY LINUK. [APPLAUSE.] YES, SIR.
LAWRENCE LUE: THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND SUPERVISORS. I HAVE A MAP TO SHARE WITH YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: GINO?
LAWRENCE LUE: I'M LAWRENCE LUE, I'M THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE CHINATOWN SERVICE WE'RE LOCATED IN CHINATOWN IN SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT 1. I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE, IN OUR COMMUNITY, HAVE ENJOYED A WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND PARTICULARLY OBVIOUSLY OUR SUPERVISOR IN DISTRICT 1, MISS MOLINA AS WELL AS THE RECOGNITION BY YOURSELF, THE FIFTH DISTRICT, SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH, ABOUT THE EXTENT AND REALLY HOW OUR COMMUNITY AFFILIATES. THE MAP THAT YOU HAVE THERE IT IS ACTUALLY A MAP OF OUR PATIENTS, THE CLIENTS WHO COME TO OUR CLINIC IN CHINATOWN. AND I UNDERSCORE, YOU SEE ON LEFT SIDE HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN, THAT IS THE LOCATION OF CHINATOWN. THAT IS WHERE WE ARE LOCATED. THE MAP REFLECTS THAT CHINATOWN CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A CRITICAL RESOURCE AND PLANNING BODY AS PART OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY. AND SO WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THAT, WHAT HAS BUILT UP TO THIS TIME THAT IN SOME WAY WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE PLANS THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED. OBVIOUSLY A-2 FITS THAT. AND REALLY I ONLY COME TO SPEAK ABOUT A-2 AND TO UNDERSCORE WHAT HAS BEEN THE BENEFITS THERE TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR PLANNING, TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE SERVED IF CHINATOWN IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY, GIVEN THE COUNTY PLANNING PROCESSES AND ADVOCACY AND EVERYTHING, IT WOULD JUST ADD MORE CHALLENGES TO A REALLY GROWING COMMUNITY AND ONE THAT STILL IS VERY CONNECTED TO CHINATOWN, TALKING ABOUT THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY. SO THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LET ME ALSO CALL LEON JENKINS. BLAIR TAYLOR. AND ERICA.
JACQUELYN DUPORT-WALKER: I'M JACKIE.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: IS ERICA MENAK HERE? YES, SIR.
LEON JENKINS: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS LEON JENKINS. I'M PRESIDENT OF LOS ANGELES N.A.A.C.P. THE N.A.A.C.P. HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT BOTH MAPS. AND WE SUPPORT S-1. AND THE REASON WE DO THAT IS BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, SECTION 2, IT TALKS ABOUT SEVEN ITEMS WHERE IT LOOKS AT IN DECIDING WHETHER IT IS PROPER FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THAT ISSUE WHETHER IT'S RACIALLY MOTIVATED OR DISCRIMINATORY. AND NUMBER 7 SAYS THE EXTENT TO WHICH MEMBERS OF A MINORITY GROUP HAVE BEEN ELECTED IN THE PUBLIC OFFICE IN THAT PARTICULAR JURISDICTION. AND IF YOU LOOK AT THAT, THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANYONE. AND YOU HAVE A COUNTY THAT IS 48 PERCENT HISPANIC. AND YET BY ACCEPTING OR VOTING FOR A-2, WHAT YOU EFFECTIVELY DO IS YOU WOULD DILUTE THE VOICE OF THE MINORITY TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY CANNOT EVEN BE HEARD. NOT ONLY THAT NOT EVEN THEIR PARTY AFFILIATION WOULD BE REPRESENTATIVE. I HEARD RUMORS THAT ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE SHOULD ALLOW A-1 AND BE IN FAVOR OF THAT IS BECAUSE IT ALLOWS THE LONG TIME INCUMBENT TO STAY IN OFFICE. BUT THAT'S FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO RUN. NOT A RIGHT TO CONTROL OR REPRESENT PEOPLE THAT YOU DON'T REPRESENT. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO SERVE AND A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE IF YOU'RE ELECTED. BUT YOU CAN'T CLOSE OUT 48 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION. IF THEY ARE 48 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION, THEY SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST TWO SEATS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE.]
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: LET ME ALSO CALL UP STEVE REYES AND MARK ROSENBAUM. YES, MA'AM.
JACQUELYN DUPONT-WALKER: I'M JACKIE DUPONT- WALKER, PRESIDENT OF WARD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ASSOCIATED WITH WARD A.M.E. CHURCH. I ALSO REPRESENT THE FIFTH DISTRICT OF THE A.M.E. CHURCH WHICH SERVES 14 WESTERN STATES. I REALLY UNDERSTAND REDISTRICTING FROM SEVERAL LEVELS, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH HAVING SERVED ON THE CITY'S REDISTRICT COMMISSION ON IN THE YEAR 2000. I LIVE IN THE SECOND. MY OFFICE IS IN THE FIRST. MY CHURCH IS IN THE FIRST. I SERVE THE SECOND AND THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH AND THE FIFTH. AND SO I LOOK AT THIS VERY DIFFERENTLY, I BELIEVE. REDISTRICTING IS THE MOST POLITICAL OF PROCESSES THAT WE COULD BE DEALING WITH. AND HAVING TRACKED THE STATE'S REDISTRICTING PROCESS, I THINK MORE PEOPLE ARE VERY MUCH AWARE OF HOW IT IMPACTS OUR LIVES. YOU, EACH ONE OF YOU, HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT JOB TODAY. AND THAT'S TO BE ADVOCATES OF FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE. IT'S DOCUMENTED THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, BUT I KNOW THAT IT MUST BE IN YOUR HEARTS TO BE THE ADVOCATES OF FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE. AND SO WE COME TODAY, HAVING MUCH BEEN SAID ABOUT THE DETAILS, TO URGE YOU TO SUPPORT A PLAN THAT SUPPORTS THE PEOPLE. WE URGE YOU TO DRAW TWO OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS AT THE VERY LEAST. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE.] YES, SIR.
BLAIR TAYLOR: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS BLAIR TAYLOR. I'M THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O. OF THE LOS ANGELES URBAN LEAGUE AND THE L.A. URBAN LEAGUE HERE IN L.A. SERVES ABOUT 125,000 OF THE NEEDIEST RESIDENTS OF OUR CITY EACH AND EVERY YEAR. I'VE ALSO BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS, WORKING WITH THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN REDISTRICTING ASSOCIATION. AND I JUST WANT TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION, I AM HERE TO TESTIFY IN FAVOR OF THE S-1 MAP. I WANT TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO REALLY BRIEFLY IN A REPORT THAT WAS RELEASED BY THE LOS ANGELES URBAN LEAGUE IN 2011 CALLED THE STATE OF BLACK LOS ANGELES REPORT, WHICH REALLY CONCISELY FRAMES THE ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE WORK OF THE L.A. URBAN LEAGUE AND THE PARTNERS. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS GOING ON IN SOUTH LOS ANGELES TODAY, INCLUDING ONE CALLED NEIGHBORHOODS AT WORK, WHICH WORKS WITH 165 DIFFERENT PARTNERS IN A COMMUNITY OF INTEREST BORDERING AND SURROUNDING THE CRENSHAW CORRIDOR. AND I THINK THAT THIS REPORT, OF WHICH FRAMES NOT ONLY THE ISSUES FACING AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND OTHER MINORITIES, BUT THE SOLUTIONS IS ONE THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU'RE CONSIDERING THE COMMUNITY OF INTEREST ARGUMENT. I AM ASKING TODAY THAT YOU KEEP THE SOUTH L.A. COMMUNITY INTACT AND THAT YOU DO THAT THROUGH THE MAP AS PRESENTED IN S-1. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP HECTOR VELEGRAS AND ARTURO VARGAS. YES, SIR.
STEVE REYES: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS STEVE REYES. I'M AN ATTORNEY WITH KAUFFMAN LEGAL GROUP, A POLITICAL LAW FIRM IN LOS ANGELES. I SERVED AS A COMMISSIONER ON THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY SUPERVISOR GLORIA MOLINA. PREVIOUSLY I ALSO SERVED WITH THE MEXICAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND. WHERE I HELP LITIGATE SECTION 2, SECTION 5 AND SECTION 203 VOTING RIGHTS ACT CASES. PLAN A-2 MAKES ONLY MINOR MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXISTING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES AND IF ADOPTED WILL MEAN BOUNDARIES WILL REMAIN LARGELY UNCHANGED FOR 20 YEARS. IT IS MY OPINION THAT A NUMBER OF THE ARGUMENTS ADVANCED JUSTIFY PLAN A-2 ARE TENUOUS AND RAISE THE SPECTOR OF LITIGATION AS WELL AS THE PROSPECT OF RENEWED OVERSIGHT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. MY OPINION IS BASED ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, SOME OF WHICH INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING. FIRST, THE LEVITT REPORT PROVIDES A SIGNIFICANT AND UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF DETAIL AND EVIDENCE FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER AS IT DECIDES WHAT COURSE OF ACTION IT SHOULD FOLLOW. THE LEVITT REPORT AT 414 PAGES EXAMINES EACH OF THE GINGLES SECTION 2 PRECONDITIONS INCLUDING THE EXTENT TO WHICH RACIALLY POLAR POLARIZED VOTING EXIS IN THE THE COUNTRY. IT DOES. THE REPORT HIDES NOTHING AND LAYS OUT ITS DATA, EVIDENCE AND REASONING FOR ALL TO SEE. IN CONTRAST THIS, BODY IS ASKED TO MAKE A 10-YEAR COMMITMENT AND RISK LITIGATION BASED ON OUTSIDE COUNSEL'S TWO-PAGE MEMORANDUM. THAT AUGUST FOURTH TWO-PAGE MEMORANDUM MAKES SWEEPING FACTUAL AND LEGAL CONCLUSIONS REGARDING PLAN A-2 AND THE CURRENT STAT OF LATINO ELECTORAL OPPORTUNITIES. OF COURSE IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT A TWO-PAGE MEMO CAN'T EXPLORE IN ANY MEANINGFUL WAY THE DETAILED DISCUSSION OF CROSSOVER VOTING AS A REMEDY TO SECTION 2 VIOLATIONS AS IT REFERENCES IS ALSO UNDERSTANDABLE THAT A TWO-PAGE MEMORANDUM CANNOT DO JUSTICE TO THE COMPLEX ANALYSIS REQUIREED TO STATE WITH LEGAL CERTAINTY "THAT LATINO CANDIDATES OF CHOICE ARE REGULARLY ABLE TO ACHIEVE ELECTORAL SUCCESS IN THE COUNTY." UNQUOTE. THE UNDERLYING DATA IS COMPLETELY HIDDEN FROM SCRUTINY. IF THE SUPERVISORS ARE INDEED CONFIDENT IN ITS COUNSEL'S ANALYSIS, I REQUEST THAT IT RELEASE THAT DATA IMMEDIATELY. I FIND THIS SUBMISSION PARTICULLARLY SURPRISING SINCE PRIOR TO THE RELEASE OF THE LEVITT REPORT, MANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE B.R.C. OPPOSED ADOPTION OF A PLAN CREATING AN ADDITIONAL MAJORITY MINORITY LATINO DISTRICT BECAUSE THAT EVIDENCE WAS NOT ON THE RECORD, NOW IT IS. THIRD, THE CONCLUSIONS CONTAINED IN THE LEVITT REPORT DO NOT STAND ALONE. AS PART OF THE NEW CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION, ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, GIBSON, DUNN AND CRUTCHER, INDEPENDENTLY EXAMINED THESE SAME ISSUES. ITS JULY 13, 2011 MEMORANDUM STATED IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT RACIALLY POLARIZED VOTING LIKELY EXISTS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. MOREOVER, THE EVIDENCE IS SUFFICIENTLY ABUNDANT THAT WE BELIEVE IT IS REASONABLE TO INFER THAT A SOPHISTICATED PLAINTIFF'S EXPERT COULD DEVELOP EVIDENCE TO PERSUADE A COURT THAT THE SECOND AND THIRD GINGLES PRECONDITIONS HAVE BEEN MET IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. FOURTH AND FINALLY WHILE THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT OUTPOURING IN SUPPORT OF PLAN A-2 SOME OF WHICH ARTICULATE VALID COMMUNITY INTEREST CONCERNS I HAVE HEARD NOTHING THUS FAR AS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE B.R.C. OR DURING THESE PROCEEDINGS THAT JUSTIFIES SUBORDINATING COMPLIANCE WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT TO OTHER REDISTRICTING CRITERIA INCLUDING COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST CONCERNS. TH E SUPREMACY CLAUSE MAKES CLEAR THAT NEITHER STATE CONSTITUTION, THE STATE ELECTIONS CODE OR THIS COUNTY'S CAN TRUMP COMPLIANCE WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT TO. THE EXTENT THE COUNTY IGNORES THOSE DIRECTIVES, I FEAR IT WILL RISK EXPOSURE UNDER SECTION TWO OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. I IMPLORE THE BOARD TO RESPECT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND TO HEED AND NOT REPEAT THE PAINFUL LESSONS LEARNED FROM GARZA. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SERVED THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE ON THIS BOARD.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. STEVE OCHOA? YES, SIR. [APPLAUSE.]
MARK ROSENBAUM: GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M MARK ROSENBAUM, I'M CHIEF COUNCIL OF THE A.C.L.U. HERE IN LOS ANGELES. I LITIGATED THE GARZA CASE ON BEHALF OF THE A.C.L.U. REDISTRICTING IS A NOBLE AND ORIGINAL AMERICAN IDEAL. SO FAR AS I KNOW, IT IS UNIQUE WITHIN THE POLITICAL SYSTEMS AMONG ALL NATIONS. MORE THAN ONE PERSON ONE VOTE, REDISTRICTING IS ABOUT ACCESS TO POWER, WHETHER THAT ACCESS IS TO BE HOARDED OR TO BE SHARED. IN SOME WAYS, REDISTRICTING IS POLITICALLY COUNTER INTUITIVE. AS DIVERSE GROUPS GROW IN POPULATION, REDISTRICTING EMBRACES A VISION THAT THOSE WHO HOLD POWER WILL VOLUNTARILY LOOSEN THEIR GRIP, THAT OTHERS WHO DO NOT MAY GAIN A WAY IN. IN ITS PUREST AND PERHAPS MOST NAIVE FORM, REDISTRICTING IS THE BEAUTIFUL AND SELF-LESS NUB OF OUR DEMOCRACY. THE GARZA CASE WHICH I HELPED LITIGATE TWO DECADES AGO TOLD US THE RULES AND THE RATIONALE OF REDISTRICTING WHEN IT COMES TO RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES, WHEREAS HERE A PLURALITY OR MAYBE EVEN A MAJORITY. AS EXPLAINED BY JUDGE KACZYNSKI IN WHAT I CONSIDERED TO BE THE KEY PASSAGE FROM THE DECISION, HERE'S HOW TO LOOK AT IT. HERE'S WHAT JUDGE KACZYNSKI SAID, "THE LAY READER MAY WONDER IF THERE CAN BE INTENTIONAL DISCRIMINATION WITHOUT AN INVIDIOUS MOTIVE. INDEED THERE CAN. A SIMPLE EXAMPLE MAY HELP ILLUSTRATE THE POINT. ASSUME YOU ARE AN ANGLO HOMEOWNER WHO LIVES IN AN ALL WHITE NEIGHBORHOOD. SUPPOSE ALSO THAT YOU HARBOR NO ILL FEELINGS TOWARDS MINORITIES. SUPPOSE FURTHER, HOWEVER, THAT SOME OF YOUR NEIGHBORS PERSUADE YOU THAT HAVING AN INTEGRATED NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD LOWER PROPERTY VALUES AND THAT YOU STAND TO LOSE A LOT OF MONEY ON YOUR HOME. ON THE BASIS OF THAT BELIEF, YOU JOIN A PACK NOT TO SELL YOUR HOUSE TO MINORITIES TO KEEP THE STATUS QUO. HAVE YOU ENGAGED IN INTENTIONAL RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISCRIMINATION? OF COURSE YOU HAVE. YOUR PERSONAL FEELINGS TOWARDS MINORITIES DON'T MATTER; WHAT MATTERS IS THAT YOU INTENTIONALLY TOOK ACTIONS CALCULATED TO KEEP THEM OUT OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, TO KEEP THEM OUT OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. SO FOR YOU THE QUESTION AS TO HOW TO PROCEED IS PERSONAL AS WELL AS POLITICAL. IF YOU SEE LATINOS AS A VOTING BLOCK THAT COULD THREATEN YOUR INCUMBENCIES, NO MATTER HOW MERITORIOUS YOUR WORK ON BEHALF OF THAT INCUMBENCY, IF THOSE INCUMBENCIES WERE A SIZABLE PERCENTAGE AND ADDED TO YOUR DISTRICT, THEN YOU MUST REDISTRICT SO AS NOT TO PRESERVE THE STATUS QUO. THAT IS THE MANDATE OF THE CONSTITUTION, AND IT IS THE MANDATE OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. I HOPE THAT THIS COMMUNITY IS SPARED A REPEAT OF THE DIVISIVENESS RESULTING THE LAST TIME AROUND. THE TESTIMONY THAT I HAVE HEARD SO FAR THIS AFTERNOON ON BEHALF OF KEEPING THE STATUS QUO IS A CARBON COPY OF WHAT I HEARD 20 YEARS AGO. THE PROMISE OF REDISTRICTING IS THE PROMISE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM: THAT OUR DEMOCRACY WAS CONSTRUCTED TO GROW AND TO BECOME MORE INCLUSIVE. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE.]
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: LET ME ALSO CALL UP CINDY _______ YES, SIR.
HECTOR VIAGA: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS HECTOR VIAGA AND I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE A.C.L.U. OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT "THOSE DO NOT KNOW THEIR HISTORY ARE DESTINED TO REPEAT IT." YOU'VE JUST HEARD FROM MARK ROSENBAUM OUR CHIEF COUNSEL ABOUT THE LITIGATION OVER THE DILUTION LATINO VOTING STRENGTH THAT RESULTED FROM THIS BOARD'S FAILURE MORE THAN TWO DECADES AGO TO CREATE A MAJORITY LATINO DISTRICT. WE HAVE GRAVE CONCERNS THAT IN FAILING TO CREATE A SECOND MAJORITY LATINO DISTRICT NOW, YOU WILL DILUTE LATINO VOTING STRENGTHS IN MUCH THE SAME WAY. PROVIDING LATINOS WITH LESS OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS AND ELECT REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR CHOICE. LATINOS REPRESENT NEARLY 50 PERCENT OF THE COUNTY'S POPULATION, 43 PERCENT OF THE COUNTY'S VOTING AGE POPULATION, AND MORE THAN 1/3 OF THE COUNTY'S POTENTIAL VOTERS. THESE DEMOGRAPHIC AND POLITICAL REALITIES MUST BE REFLECTED AND RESPECTED IN THE DISTRICTS THAT YOU CREATE. ONE SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT OUT OF FIVE IGNORES THESE REALITIES AND DISEMPOWERS LATINOS. I'VE READ IN THE PAPERS THAT SOME OPPOSE THE CREATION OF A NEW LATINO MAJORITY DISTRICT ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT WOULD BE DISRUPTIVE TO INCUMBENTS OR THE CONSTITUENTS WHO HAVE GROWN FAMILIAR WITH THEM OVER THE YEARS. WHEN IT COMES TO THESE ARGUMENTS ABOUT INCUMBENTS, POLITICAL EFFECTIVENESS SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED FOR LEGAL VALIDITY. THESE ARGUMENTS ARE NOT NEW. THEY HAVE BEEN TRIED BEFORE AND THEY HAVE FAILED. I TOOK ANOTHER LOOK AT THE NINTH CIRCUIT'S OPINION IN GARZA LAST NIGHT AND I URGE YOU ALL TO DO THE SAME. I WAS STRUCK BY JUDGE KACZYNSKI'S CONCLUSION THAT QUOTE "PROTECTING INCUMBENCY AND SAFEGUARDING THE VOTING RIGHTS OF MINORITIES ARE PURPOSES OFTEN AT WAR WITH EACH OTHER." I WAS STRUCK, AS WELL, BY JUDGE KACZYNSKI'S DESCRIPTION OF THE PROOF IN GARZA. THE RECORD ESTABLISHED THE INTENTIONAL VOTE DILUTION BECAUSE IT SHOWED A CONTINUING PRACTICE OF SPLITTING THE HISPANIC CORE INTO TWO OR MORE DISTRICTS TO PREVENT THE EMERGENCE OF A STRONG LATINO-PREFERRED CANDIDATE WHO MIGHT PROVIDE MEANINGFUL COMPETITION TO THE INCUMBENT SUPERVISORS. AND, LAST, I WAS STRUCK BY JUDGE KACZYNSKI'S SUMMARY OF THE HISTORICAL IMPORT OF GARZA. HE SAID, QUOTE, "WHEN THE DUST HAS SETTLED, GARZA WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR ITS LUCID DEMONSTRATION THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS ENGAGED IN THE SINGLE MINDED PURSUIT OF INCUMBENCY CAN RUN ROUGH SHOD OVER THE RIGHTS OF PROTECTED MINORITIES." THE DUST HAS SETTLED. BUT DON'T KICK IT UP AGAIN. DON'T SPLIT THE LATINO COMMUNITY TO PROTECT INCUMBENTS. DON'T GIVE RISE TO YEARS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN LITIGATION ALL JUST TO LEARN THE SAME LESSON ONCE AGAIN. ONCE SHOULD BE ENOUGH. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE.]
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. ALEX REZA? YES, SIR.
ARTURO VARGAS: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ARTURO VARGAS I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF _________ THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU TODAY. _________ DID ADVOCATE BEFORE THE BOARD REDISTRICTING COMMISSION FOR A CREATION OF A MAP WITH OF TWO LATINO DISTRICTS. OUR PLEAS WENT UNHEARD. I AM HERE TO CALL UPON THIS BOARD TO APPROVE A MAP THAT IN FACT DOES CREATE TWO LATINO EFFECTIVE DISTRICTS AND CONTINUES TO RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY. WE WILL BE SUBMITTING WRITTEN TESTIMONY TO THAT EFFECT. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO REPEAT SOME OF THE TESTIMONY THAT WAS SHARED BY MR. ROSENBAUM AND MR. VILLEGRA ABOUT THE FINDINGS OF THE DISTRICT COURT IN 1990, SPECIFICALLY I'D LIKE TO REMIND THIS BOARD THAT THE COURT FOUND INTENTIONAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LATINO VOTERS AND CANDIDATES IN THE 1959 REDISTRICTING. WITH DISTRICTS CRAFTED IN ORDER TO INCREASE AN INCUMBENT'S CHANCE TO DEFEAT THE PREFERRED CANDIDATE OF THE LATINO COMMUNITY. THE COURT FOUND THE SAME THING IN THE 1965 REDISTRICTING, THE 1971 REDISTRICTING AND THE 1981 REDISTRICTING. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THIS BOARD THE STATE LAW DICTATES THAT THE PRIMARY TWO CRITERIA THAT YOU MUST APPLY IN REDISTRICTING ARE: 1, INSURING EQUAL POPULATION AMONG YOUR FIVE DISTRICTS. AND, TWO, COMPLIANCE WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. ALL ELSE IS SECONDARY. THE DATA, CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE LAW ARE CLEAR. MOST SIGNIFICANTLY, THE DATA SHOW THAT UNDER PLAN A-2, LATINO VOTERS ARE ABLE TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF THEIR CHOICE IN ONLY ONE DISTRICT. PLAN S-2 AFFFORDS THAT OPPORTUNITY IN TWO DISTRICTS. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT MUCH OF THE TESTIMONY YOU HAVE HEARD TODAY FROM THE PUBLIC IS ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT A-2 SPECIFICALLY SO THAT YOU MAY CONTINUE TO BE REELECTED. WELL, IT IS GOOD TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE APPRECIATED BY YOUR CONSTITUENTS, YOU ARE IN ESSENCE BEING ASKED TO PROTECT YOUR INCUMBENCIES OVER THE REQUIREMENTS OF LAW. WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF GLORIA MOLINA AND MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS FOR MAP S-1 AND WE CALL ON THE REMAINING SUPERVISORS PLEASE DO NOT REPEAT HISTORY AND WE ASK YOU ADOPT THE MAP THAT CREATES TWO EFFECTIVE LATINO DISTRICTS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE.]
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: YES, SIR.
STEVEN OCHOA: GOOD AFTERNOON, SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS STEVEN OCHOA. I AM THE NATIONAL REDISTRICTING COORDINATOR FOR THE MEXICAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND OR M.A.L.D.E.F. IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO SPEC TO YOU ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REDISTRICTING PROCESS. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO SPEAK TO YOUR BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE AS THEY WERE CRAFTING THEIR PLANS, AND I AM HERE AGAIN TO REITERATE THE CREATION OF A SECOND LATINO MAJORITY CITIZEN VOTING AGE POPULATION OR C.V.A.P. DISTRICT IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. FIRST AS YOU KNOW, A SECOND DISTRICT CAN BE CREATED. M.A.L.D.E.F. SUBMITTED TWO TO THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE PLANS THAT CREATED TWO LATINO MAJORITY DISTRICTS IN A MATTER THAT RESPECTED AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES. THE B.R.C. RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 7 EXAMPLES INCLUDING A PLAN FROM THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN REDISTRICTING COLLABORATIVE WHICH WAS THE BASE PLAN FOR PLAN S-1. THESE PROPOSED DISTRICTS WERE DRAWN WITH CONSIDERATION OF MORE THAN JUST LATINO DEMOGRAPHICS AND WERE NOT SO-CALLED RACIAL GERRYMANDERS. OTHER TRADITIONAL PRINCIPLES THAT WERE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WERE COMPACTNESS, REDUCED CITY SPLITS, COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST, CONTIGUITY AND VARIOUS SOCIOECONOMIC INFORMATION. SECOND, THE FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT OR V.R.A. REQUIRES THE CREATION OF A SECOND DISTRICT. UNDER THE RULES OF A V.R.A. IF A DISTRICT CAN BE DRAWN WHERE A MINORITY GROUP IS LARGE AND COMPACT, CONSISTENTLY VOTES TOGETHER AND THE MAJORITY POPULATION AROUND IT CONSISTENTLY VOTES AGAINST THE MINORITY CANDIDATE OF CHOICE, THE DISTRICT IS REQUIRED TO AVOID MINORITY VOTE DILUTION. A SECOND DISTRICT CAN BE CREATED AND THIS HAS RECEIVED A SUBSTANTIAL REPORT FROM JUSTIN LEVITT AND DR. MATT BARRETO SHOWING THAT RACIALLY POLARIZED VOTING STILL EXISTS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. THIRD, THE INCUMBENT INTERESTS OR AN INTEREST IN A MINIMAL CHANGE REDISTRICTING PLAN THAT HAVE BEEN STATED BY SEVERAL SUPERVISORS AND SUPERVISORIAL REPRESENTATIVES HAS REASONS WHY A SECOND DISTRICT SHOULD NOT BE DRAWN DO NOT OVERRIDE THE COUNTY'S LEGAL OBLIGATION TO THE V.R.A. THE IDEA OF A SECOND LATINO DISTRICT IS NOT A RACIAL GERRYMANDER. RACE IS NOT THE OVERRIDING FACTOR BUT A SUPPLEMENT TO VRA COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS, COMMUNITIES OF INTERESTS, COMPACTNESS, CITY SPLITS AND SOCIOECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS. FURTHER, INCUMBENCY CONSIDERATIONS OF RESIDENCY AND REELECTIBILITY, WE COMMUNITY OF INTEREST TESTIMONY OVER THE SINGLE RELATIONSHIP TO AN INCUMBENT OR THE CONCEPTS OF POPULATION SHIFTS OR VOTER DEFERRALS DO NOT OVERRIDE THE V.R.A. OBLIGATIONS. FINALLY, THE LATINO COMMUNITY STRONGLY DESIRES AND DESERVES A SECOND DISTRICT. LATINOS ARE CURRENTLY 47.7 PERCENT OF L.A. COUNTY'S TOTAL POPULATION WHERE THE CANDIDATES OF CHOICE ONLY ACCOUNT FOR 20 PERCENT OF THE BOARD'S VOTE. IN THE LAST DECADE, LATINOS GREW 10 PERCENT. WHERE THE NONLATINO POPULATION FELL 2.8 PERCENT. FURTHERMORE, THE LATINO COMMUNITY GREW SUBSTANTIAL AND POLITICAL INFLUENCE. LATINO CITIZEN VOTING AGE POPULATION GREW 28 PERCENT. AND LATINO REGISTRATION GREW 33.5 PERCENT FROM 2002 TO 2010 NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTIONS. LATINOS HAVE NOW GROWN IN EFFECTIVE POPULATION WHERE A SECOND DISTRICT IS NOT ONLY DESIRED BUT DESERVED. THIS BODY MUST DRAW A SECOND LATINO DISTRICT. IT'S JUST. IT'S REQUIRED BY LAW. AND THE EVER INCREASING LATINO ELECTORATE DEMANDS AND DESERVES IT. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE.] LET ME ALSO CALL UP VICTOR ACEVEDO AND ALLEN CLAYTON. YES, MA'AM.
CINDY PALOMINO: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CINDY PALOMINO AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE ALLIANCE FOR BETTER COMMUNITY. ON BEHALF OF THE ALLIANCE FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY, WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR SUPPORT FOR THE THE S-1 AMMENDMENT MAPS FOR THE L.A. COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. ALLIANCE FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY IS A POLICY AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS TO PROMOTE EQUITY FOR LATINOS IN THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA. IN THE REGIONS OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. WE STRONGLY SUPPORT THE REDISTRICTING AND THE ADDITION OF AN ADDITIONAL BOARD OF SUPERVISORSIAL SEATS TO PROVIDE MORE EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION FOR THE RESIDENTS OF L.A. COUNTY. CURRENT DISTRICTS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE REPRESENTATION AND OVERLOOK A HISTORY OF DISENFRANCHISEMENT IN HIGH-DENSITY, HEAVILY POPULATED LATINO COMMUNITIES SUCH AS THE SOUTHEAST CITIES AND EAST LOS ANGELES. THE MAPS, THE S-1 AMENDED MAPS SUBMITTED CREATE AN ADDITIONAL SEAT WHERE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COULD BE ELECTED TO REPRESENT THE NEEDS OF THE LATINO COMMUNITY; WE STRONGLY URGE THE BOARD TO ADOPT THESE RECOMMENDED MAPS. SINCE 2008, A.B.C. HAS WORKED TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN SOUTHEAST CITIES BY COMBINING THE SOUTHEAST CITIES EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION TASKFORCE. A.B.C. BEGAN ITS WORK IN THE SOUTHEAST CITIES OF BELL, BELL GARDENS, CUDAHY, HUNTINGTON PARK, MAYWOOD, AND VERNON. BECAUSE THIS REGION IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST NEED REGIONS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY WITH ONLY 4,065 CHILDCARE SPACES TO SERVE 33,262 CHILDREN FROM 0 TO FIVE YEARS OLD. THROUGH THIS TASKFORCE A.B.C. ENGAGES E.C.E. PROVIDERS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS, PARENTS, AND LOCAL AGENCIES TO SERVE THIS POPULATION AND TO INCREASE HIGH QUALITY EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHEAST. APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR THESE EFFORTS TO GAIN MOMENTUM AND ACHIEVE SUCCESS ON BEHALF OF THE SOUTHEAST RESIDENTS. AN ADDITIONAL SEAT WOULD GIVE VOICE TO LATINO COMMUNITY IN THIS REGION THUS INSURING THAT THEIR CHALLENGES AN AND SUCCESSES ARE HEARD BY A BROADER AUDIENCE. BY REDRAWING DISTRICT LINES AS PROPOSED BY THE S-1 AMENDED MAPS AND ADDING AN ADDITIONAL SEAT, THE SOUTHEAST REGION CAN GAIN MORE EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION. WITHOUT THIS CHANGE, THE COMMISSION MAY VIRTUALLY ERASE RECENT POLITICAL GAINS FOR THE AREA AND CONTINUE TO DISENFRANCHISE THESE COMMUNITIES BY PACKING AND OVERSATURATING LATINOS IN ONE DISTRICT. LATINO'S GROWTH OVER TIME DESERVES EQUAL REPRESENTATION. A.B.C. STRONGLY URGES YOU TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE CITIZENS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND PROVIDE OUR COMMUNITIES WITH PROPER REPRESENTATION THEY NEED AND DESERVE. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP MARY HAMMER OR HAMMER? YES, SIR.
ALEX: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ALEX ________, I TAUGHT AT SAN FERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL FROM 1968 UNTIL 2002. I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE CESAR CHAVEZ COMMEMORATIVE COMMITTEE. I WANT TO TAKE MY OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY FOR MANY YEARS. THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTY AND OUR STATE AND OUR NATION. AND ONE OF MY MAIN CONCERNS IS THERE'S A LOT OF TALENT WITHIN THE LATINO COMMUNITY. A LOT OF IT IS BEING UNDERUTILIZED AND YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY WITH A REDISTRICTING PROCESS TO ADD AN ELEMENT OF LEADERSHIP, AUTHENTIC, HOME GROWN LEADERSHIP THAT UNDERSTANDS THE COMMUNITY, IS COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITY, AND WILL MAXIMIZE THE TALENT THAT LIES WITHIN THE LATINO COMMUNITY. I SEE A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL BUT HAVE VERY LITTLE OPPORTUNITY. SO I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE SECOND MAJORITY LATINO DISTRICT. I'D LIKE TO BRIEFLY REFER TO THE BOARD MAP. IT INCLUDES PACOIMA AN WITH A 49,000 INCOME WITH WEST HILLS, WHICH HAS AN INCOME OF OVER 100,000 AVERAGE. TO ME THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE BOARD PLAN BEING A STATUS QUO WHICH WILL SET THE COMMUNITY BACK AND RECOGNIZING THE NEW REALITY IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGE FOR OUR POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. AND THE NEW POLITICAL REALITY IS THE INCREASING LATINO COMMUNITY. AND COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP IS NEEDED. ONE OF THE SPEAKERS BEFORE SAID WE CREATE MINIMAL CHANGE. WE DON'T NEED MINIMAL CHANGE. WE NEED RADICAL IN SOME WAYS CHANGE. AND THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO BY CREATING A SECOND LATINO MAJORITY DISTRICT. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: YES, SIR. THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO IS TAYLOR-- OKAY. HE HAD TO GO. TONYA JUAREZ? MARCO ROBLES? SHERI SCHRIER? YES, SIR.
VICTOR ACEVEDO: GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS VICTOR ACEVEDO I'M THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE MEXICAN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, THE MEXICAN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE ADOPTION OF REDISTRICTING PLAN S-1 THAT CONTAINS TWO LATINO MAJORITY DISTRICTS. THIS POSITION IS BASED ON THE RECENT RELEASE OF CENSUS DATA SHOWING THAT LATINOS REPRESENT 65 PERCENT OF THE OVERALL GROWTH IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. IN FACT, IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, THE LATINO POPULATION IN L.A. COUNTY HAS GROWN BY APPROXIMATELY 445,000 WHEREAS THE ENTIRE NONLATINO COUNTY POPULATION ONLY GREW BY APPROXIMATELY 300,000. BECAUSE OF THE CLEAR UNDENIABLE GROWTH OF ITS LATINO POPULATION, LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUST BE VIGILANT IN ADOPTING A PLAN THAT AVOIDS THE WRONGS OF THE NOT TOO DISTANT PAST. IN THE GARZA LITIGATION THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE MADE THREE VERY IMPORTANT FINDINGS THAT I'D LIKE TO REMIND THE BOARD THIS AFTERNOON. ONE, THE CONTINUED FRAGMENTATION OF THE HISPANIC VOTE WAS A REASONABLY FORESEEABLE CONSEQUENCE OF THE ADOPTION OF THE 1981 PLAN. TWO, THE COURT FOUND THAT DURING THE 1981 REDISTRICTING PROCESS, THE SUPERVISORS KNEW THAT THE PROTECTION OF THEIR FIVE ANGLO INCUMBENCIES WAS INEXTRICABLY LINKED TO THE CONTINUED FRAGMENTATION OF THE LATINO CORE. AND, THREE, THE SUPERVISORS APPEAR TO HAVE ACTED PRIMARILY ON THEIR POLITICAL INSTINCT OF SELF-PRESERVATION. THE COURT FOUND, HOWEVER, THAT THE SUPERVISORS ALSO INTENDED WHAT THEY KNEW TO BE THE LIKELY RESULT OF THEIR ACTIONS AND THEIR PREREQUISITES TO SELF-PRESERVATION, THE CONTINUED FRAGMENTATION OF THE HISPANIC CORE AND THE DILUTION OF HISPANIC VOTING STRENGTH. THESE FINDINGS WERE LATER UPHELD BY THE NINTH CIRCUIT. IN FACT THE NINTH CIRCUIT RECOGNIZED THAT AFTER THE 1982 AMENDMENT, THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT CAN BE VIOLATED BY BOTH INTENTIONAL DISCRIMINATION IN THE DRAWING OF DISTRICT LINES AND FACIALLY NEUTRAL APPORTIONMENT SCHEMES THAT HAVE THE EFFECT OF DILUTING MINORITY VOTES. THE DATA BEFORE THIS BOARD CONFIRMS THAT LATINO POPULATION CORES ARE BEING FRAGMENTED BETWEEN SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION. THEREFORE, TO PREVENT FURTHER DILUTION FOR THE GROWING NUMBER OF LATINOS, SECTION 2 OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT REQUIRES THAT L.A. COUNTY ADOPT A PLAN THAT CORRECTS RATHER THAN CONTINUES THAT HISTORIC FRAGMENTATION. ADOPTING SUCH A PLAN IS NOT ONLY NECESSARY BUT PROPER. THE DELIBERATE CONSTRUCTION OF MINORITY-CONTROLLED VOTING DISTRICTS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AUTHORIZES. SUCH DISTRICTING, WHETHER WORKED BY A COURT OR BY A POLITICAL ENTITY IN THE FIRST INSTANCE DOES NOT VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION. ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, M.A.B.A. STRONGLY URGES THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO FOLLOW THE LAW AND TO ADOPT THE PLAN WITH TWO LATINO MAJORITY DISTRICTS, PLAN S-1. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP GABBY BRADLEY. GABBY BRADLEY? MATT COBBLE? SOPHIA MERITO? MARCELLA ORTIZ? CORINNA DUANNIS? NADIA PADILLA? JUSTIN JARKEEN? ADRIAN AN CASTRO? LORETTA SAN RODRIGUEZ? LORENA? LORETTA RODRIGUEZ? MELBA TORRES? BRANDY HEARTSELL? MICHELLE MEINDL? MARIA GARCIA? LEONNA GUZMAN? JULIE TILLMAN? VERONICA GARCIA? MARIA PEDROZA? OVAN DILLARD? CHRISTY NINEGAR? NANCY LEDISMA? VICTOR CASTRO JUNG-- DRAJON? ROBERTO MONTANO? JESSE ALMIREZ? ANDREW ESQUEVEZ, LUPE TRUJILLO? ALICIA CAREA? LORETTA AUTISTITIA? ANGELINA GARCIA? ROSA FUENTES? CARL SALAZAR? JULIO CAESAR SANCHEZ? ANNA TORA, COURTNEY COUNCIL? JASON ROACH AN? LOUIS PESINO? DAVID MALCOLM? MICHELLE SANCHEZ? WE HAVE ONE. OKAY. YOU'RE NEXT.
ALAN CLAYTON: THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. MY NAME IS ALAN CLAYTON. I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN REDISTRICTING BEFORE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ACTUALLY GOING BACK INTO THE 80S. AND I APPEARED BEFORE THE BOARD BOTH ON EXPANSION AND ALSO '91, 2001 AND NOW 2011. I TESTIFIED BEFORE EVERY MEETING OF THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION EXCEPT ONE WHERE I WAS INVOLVED IN STATE REDISTRICTING. I CONSISTENTLY POINTED OUT THAT THERE'S A MAJOR ISSUE HERE OF PACKING. THAT YOU HAVE DISTRICT ONE IS PACKED CLEARLY IN TERMS OF LATINO NUMBERS WHERE YOU COULD CREATE TWO ALTERNATIVE DISTRICTS. I DREW TWO PLANS THAT CREATED TWO ALTERNATIVE DISTRICTS. I FULLY SUPPORT THE S-1 AFRICAN-AMERICAN PLAN. I THINK IT'S AN EXCELLENT PLAN THAT MEETS THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. IT ALSO PRESERVES DISTRICT 2 IN TERMS OF IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, THE CURRENT NUMBERS ARE 36.5. IT IS 36.5 PERCENT. AND THE KEY THING HERE, I THINK, IS THAT YOU'VE GOT A SITUATION WHERE YOU'RE ENGAGED IN INCUMBENT PROTECTION. ONE POINT I WANTED TO MAKE THAT'S AN IMPORTANT ONE IS IF YOU LOOK AT THE REAL NUMBERS IN DISTRICT 4, WHICH IS WHAT I LOOK AT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN PARTISAN CAMPAIGNS, BEEN INVOLVED IN STATE REDISTRICTING, THE SPANISH SURNAME VOTER REGISTRATION IS 28.1 PERCENT. IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAP, IT'S 48.4 PERCENT. THE WHITE REGISTRATION IS OVER 50 PERCENT IN DISTRICT 4. BARRETO'S REPORT CONCLUSIVELY SHOWS THERE IS POLARIZED VOTING. THE WAY THAT THE COURTS LOOK AT IT ESPECIALLY IN THE NINTH CIRCUIT IS THEY LOOK AT THE ELECTIONS MOST CLOSELY THAT ARE MINORITY VERSUS NONMINORITY ELECTIONS. AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE'S A COMPELLING NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT HERE. YOU OPEN YOURSELF UP FOR LITIGATION. I BELIEVE THERE IS A CASE. AND THERE'S A STRONG CASE BOTH ON MEETING THE GINGLES 3 CASE AND THEN IT'S CALLED THE TOTALITY TEST. I DON'T BASE THIS ON THEORY. BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY FACTUAL DATA FROM THE COUNTY REFUTING THE BARRETO REPORT. I WENT OVER TODAY AND ASKED FOR ALL THE DOCUMENTS. THERE'S NO DOCUMENT THERE. THERE'S A TWO-PAGE DOCUMENT. BUT WHERE'S THE BASIS? IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU SHOWED SOME FACTUAL. THERE'S ARGUMENTS THAT, WELL, THERE'S NO PROOF. WELL, THERE IS PROOF. BARRETO'S REPORT CONCLUSIVELY SHOWS THAT THERE IS POLARIZED VOTING. BARRETO WAS THE EXPERT RETAINED BUY THE STATE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION. AND IN THEIR LEGAL TEAM, THEIR OPINION OF THE LAW FIRM WAS THAT IN L.A. COUNTY THERE ARE VOTING RIGHTS ISSUES FOR LATINOS AND WE HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THEM. SO I THINK TO IGNORE A BODY OF THE STATE REDISTRICTING IGNORE WHAT THEIR EXPERTS SAID, IGNORE WHAT THEIR LAW FIRMS SAID IS AT YOUR OWN PERIL. NOW, BACK IN '90, YOU SPENT OVER 6 MILLION DOLLARS IN HIRING SEVEN LAW FIRMS TO DEFEND WHAT WAS ILLEGAL. IT WAS FOUND TO BE INTENTIONAL. AND YOU HAD TO PAY THE PLANTIFFS, I BELIEVE, OVER 6 MILLION. NOW, THAT'S 12 MILLION BACK IN 1990 BECAUSE PEOPLE ASKED: WHY DIDN'T ANYBODY SUE LAST TIME? WELL, IT'S CALLED MONEY. BUT I CAN TELL YOU, I WAS THERE IN 2001 AND TESTIFIED EXTENSIVELY. AND THE CASE IS STRONGER NOW THAN IT WAS IN 2001. THE FACTS ARE STRONGER. AND I THINK THERE'S A VERY COMPELLING CASE. AND I THINK THAT YOU REALLY NEED TO PAY ATTENTION. I THINK THE KEY THING IS THINK ABOUT IT VERY CAREFULLY. DO NOT MISSUSE TAXPAYER DOLLARS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE SITUATION IN WASHINGTON, THE SITUATION AT THE STATE. WE HAVE REAL PROBLEMS WITH L.A. COUNTY. AND I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN SACRAMENTO IN THE PAST TRYING TO GET RESOURCES. IT'S A TOUGH TIME. TO SPEND MONEY ON LITIGATION TO PROTECT THE UNPROTECTIBLE, TO BASICALLY KEEP INCUMBENTS IN POWER AND VIOLATE THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT LIKE YOU DID BACK IN 1990 WHICH THE COURT FOUND YOU INTENTIONALLY VIOLATED IT GOING BACK TO THE '59 ELECTION WHICH MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE ED ROYBAL HE WAS BASICALLY TREATED UNFAIRLY. WELL, IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE LAST TIME WHERE YOU WERE FOUND TO HAVE BASICALLY CRACKED THE LATINO COMMUNITY. WHERE YOU COULD HAVE DRAWN A SEAT AT THE TIME IT WAS 44 TO 46 PERCENT SPANISH SURNAME REGISTRATION, YOU DO TWO 23 PERCENT SEATS. NOW YOU'RE PACKING. AND IT'S NOT NEW TO THE RECORD. IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION, I TESTIFIED ON IT EXTENSIVELY. EVERY TIME I GOT AN OPPORTUNITY. I THINK YOU NEED TO BE PRUDENT WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS. YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION AND LOOK SERIOUSLY AT THIS. THE OTHER POINT, I DO LIVE IN THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY AND FACTIONED INTO THREE IT'S VERY TOUGH TO GET SOMETIMES THE FOCUS WE NEED. I REMEMBER WHEN WE WANTED A COUNTY HOSPITAL OUT THERE, WE DIDN'T GET IT. I REMEMBER A NUMBER OF OTHER BATTLES THAT WE'VE HAD OVER THE YEARS. NOW I BELIEVE THAT DON KNABE'S BEEN A FINE SUPERVISOR. AND HE'S A VERY GOOD PERSON. I BELIEVE THE BOARD MEMBERS, I WORK WITH THEIR OFFICES BEFORE. AND THEY'RE APPROACHABLE. THE ISSUE IS NOT PERSONAL HERE. THE ISSUE IS THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND COMPLIANCE. THE ISSUE IS NOT FRAGMENTING THE LATINO COMMUNITY OR NOT PACKING THE LATINO COMMUNITY. IN THIS CASE YOU'RE PACKING AND YOU COULD DRAW A REASONABLY COMPACT SEAT IN THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WHERE THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS WOULD BE FROM THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY AND THEN YOU COULD DRAW A SEAT THAT GOES FROM THE BASICALLY THE SOUTHEAST CITIES UP THROUGH THE LOS ANGELES AREA OVER THROUGH BURBANK AND UP TO SYLMAR. NOW, HAS THIS BEEN DONE BEFORE? I WAS INVOLVED IN, AND ZEV PROBABLY REMEMBERS THIS. I WAS INVOLVED IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT REDISTRICTING. I DREW VICKI CASTRO'S SEAT. I KNOW YOU WERE AROUND THEN. AND THE SEAT THAT I DREW WAS ADOPTED IF YOU REMEMBER. AND THERE WAS NO LITIGATION. IN 2001, I WAS THE FIRST ONE TO TAKE DISTRICT 6 AND PUT IT IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY. THAT SEAT WAS ADOPTED. WHO'S THERE RIGHT NOW? TONY CARDENAS. IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WE DREW A SEAT, WHO IS THERE RIGHT NOW? THIS IS THE LAST ROUND OF REDISTRICTING FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD, NURY MARTINEZ. THEY VOLUNTARILY MET THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT BY DRAWING SEATS THAT COULD BE DRAWN BASED ON CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS. THE CARDENAS SEAT WAS IN THE NORTH FERNANDO VALLEY. THE NURY MARTINEZ SEAT WAS IN THE NORTH SAN FERNANDO VALLEY. THIS IS NOT BRAND NEW. THIS HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME. DO YOU REMEMBER LETECIA CASADA'S SEAT IN THE OLD DAYS WENT OUT INTO THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY. I WAS THERE IN THOSE DAYS BECAUSE WE CREATED TWO SEATS. I'M NOT NEW TO THISPROCESS. REMEMBER WHEN WE DID L.A.F.C.O.? I DREW THE MAP THAT WAS ADOPTED BY L.A.F.C.O. TWO MAPS WERE FOUND TO BE LEGAL BUY COUNTY COUNSEL, MY MAP AND THE MAP OF THE EXPORTS BY L.A.F.C.O. AND THE L.A.F.C.O. BOARD VOTED TO PUT THAT BACK ON THE BALLOT. PEOPLE RUN UNDER THAT. THEY EITHER WON OR LOST. AND THEN THE ELECTION WAS NULL AND VOID BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS IN THE CITY OF L.A. AND THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY DIDN'T VOTE FOR IT. BUT WE WERE ABLE TO WORK OUT AN AGREEMENT TO GET VOTING RIGHTS SEATS. PLEASE DON'T DO WHAT THE CITY WAS WISE ENOUGH TO AVOID. THE CITY WAS WISE ENOUGH TO RESOLVE IT AMICABLY IN TERMS OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY AND CREATION OF DISTRICT 6. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ALSO RESOLVED IT TWICE, THE CREATION OF A SEAT THAT VICKI CASTRO WON AND THE CREATION OF A SEAT THAT NURI MARTINEZ WON. SO PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP ANTONIO LA MELEE? BETSY CHEEK. MONICA WISEBROOK. ANTONIA CABRELO. PATTI MAGDALENEO. DORA REYES. JENNIFER LOPEZ.
SPEAKER:J-LO?
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY. YOU'RE ON.
SHERI SCHRIER: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS SHERI SCHRIER. AND I AM FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS. I AM THE DIRECTOR OF THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION CALLED HAPPY HATS FOR KIDS IN HOSPITALS. MR. KNABE HAS SO WONDERFULLY SUPPORTED OUR CAUSE. AND WE ARE THE ONLY NONPROFIT IN THE COUNTRY THAT HAS A BILINGUAL PROGRAM FOR ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND ESPECIALLY HERE IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. MR. KNABE HAS SUPPORTED OUR NONPROFIT, AND I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN HIM GIVE HIS HEART TO ALL THESE SICK AND DYING CHILDREN AND I REALLY SUPPORT, MY ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS THE A-2 PLAN. AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO SEE ANYTHING DIVIDED. I WOULDN'T WANT TO SEE MR. KNABE'S HEART DIVIDED OR OUR LOS ANGELES COUNTY DIVIDED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. LET ME ALSO CALL UP JACQUELINE DUPONT-- SHE ALREADY SPOKE. LEON JENKINS? LEON JENKINS? DR. CLAVREUL? DR. CLAVREUL? YES, SIR.
MARCO ROBLES: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MARCO ROBLES. I WAS BORN AND RAISED ABOUT FIVE MILES FROM HERE, I GREW UP IN LINCOLN HEIGHTS. I SPENT ALL MY SCHOOL YEARS THERE. AND MY GRANDPARENTS CAME HERE AT THE TURN OF THE 1900S FROM MEXICO. MY FATHER CAME HERE FROM GUATEMALA IN THE EARLY 40S. SO I HAVE A LOT OF BACKGROUND IN THIS AREA. ONE THING WHEN I WENT INTO THE MARINE CORPS IN THE MID '60S, I LEARNED THAT I HAVE TO LOOK AT PEOPLE IN A DIFFERENT MANNER. I HAD A LOT OF FUN WHEN IT CAME TO SCHOOL AND GROWING UP IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD HERE. WE HAD A VERY DIVERSE ENVIRONMENT WHEN IT CAME TO PEOPLE BOTH ANGLO OF COURSE, ASIAN BECAUSE OF CHINATOWN AND OF COURSE HISPANIC. AND YET WHEN I WENT INTO THE SERVICE, I SAW A GREAT DEAL OF DIVISION THERE. IT WAS VERY SURPRISING TO ME BECAUSE I WAS FORTUNATE IN THAT I GREW UP WITH A LOT OF MIXTURE OF FOLKS. AND AS I CAME BACK FROM THE SERVICE, MARRIED MY WIFE WHO GREW UP IN CITY TERRACE AND PICO RIVERA, SHE ALSO SEEMED TO FOR WHATEVER REASON EXPERIENCE SIMILAR THINGS THAT I DID AS I WAS GROWING UP. WE MARRIED, WENT TO MONTEREY PARK AND ALSO SAW MORE ASIAN COMMUNITY THERE. BUT OF COURSE WE WERE CLOSE TO EAST LOS ANGELES. ONE THING THAT I STARTED THAT SHE AND I HAVE BOTH CONCLUDED ACTUALLY OVER THE YEARS, IT'S NOT WHERE YOU LIVE BUT IT'S WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART. UNLESS YOU START LOOKING A LITTLE DEEPER AT THE PEOPLE AND WHAT THEY BRING TO THE TABLE: THEIR HONESTY, THEIR INTEGRITY AND THEIR ABILITY TO DEAL WITH DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTS AND BACKGROUNDS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE DONE OVER THE LAST MAYBE APPROXIMATELY APPROACHING 10 YEARS IS GET BACK INVOLVED WITH MY HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE SEEN AS FAR AS THE STUDENTS THAT ARE CONCERNED IS THAT THEY ARE VERY SHELTERED. THEY'RE NOT EXPOSED TO THE OUTSIDE ENVIRONMENT. THEY SEEM TO HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO THEY FINALLY FIND OUT THAT I DON'T LIVE IN THE AREA. I LIVE IN ROLAND HEIGHTS NOW FOR THE LAST 33 YEARS IN A VERY DIVERSE AREA AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. AND I SHARE WITH THESE KIDS WHAT I EXPERIENCED OVER MY YEARS. AND ONE OF THE THINGS, THEY'RE VERY INQUISITIVE. AND THEY NEED TO SEE DIVERSITY. THEY DON'T NEED TO SEE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE ALL THEY DO IS SPIRAL INTO THEMSELVES OVER AND OVER AGAIN. AND THAT'S WHAT I SEE WITH THIS S-1 PLAN. THE A-2 PLAN UNDER DON KNABE AND I MUST ALSO ADD THAT FOR THE LAST 20 SOME YEARS I DEALT HEAVILY WITH THE COUNTY AS A PROVIDER I DIDN'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH SUPERVISOR KNABE AND HIS DECISIONS RELATIVE TO MY OWN BUSINESS AND WHAT WAS GOING ON BUT ONE THING I HAVE LEARNED IN LIVING IN ROWLAND HEIGHTS AND EXPERIENCING THE SUPERVISOR IN HIS ACTIONS AND HIS STAFF IS THAT THEY HAVE OPENED UP THINGS TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE THAT WANTS TO PARTICIPATE.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU.
MARCO ROBLES: I'D LIKE TO END BY SAYING THAT I FEEL THAT I OUGHT TO BE CALLING HIM "DON" KNABE HE IN THAT HISPANIC TERM, OF COURSE.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: WE CALL HIM WORSE. [LAUGHTER.] [APPLAUSE.] YES, MA'AM.
MONICA WISEBRICH: GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS MONICA WISEBRICH AND IM A NATIVE ANGELINO, REGISTERED NURSE WHO'S LIVED IN WESTCHESTER CALIFORNIA FOR 40 PLUS YEARS. I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED REDISTRICTING A-2. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT PERFECT FOR WESTCHESTER, PRESENTLY IT IS QUITE WORKABLE. WE IN WESTCHESTER ARE THE POSTER CHILD FOR GERRYMANDERING OF A DISTRICT. WE HAVE TWO OFFICES FOR OUR FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES. WE HAVE TWO OFFICES FOR OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES. TWO WE HAVE TWO OFFICES FOR OUR COUNTY SUPERVISORS. ONLY OUR CITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN ABLE TO REPRESENT US WITH ONE PERSON. ALTERNATE PLAN A-2 PROPOSAL WILL BRING WESTCHESTER INTO A MORE FOCUSED, LESS FRAGMENTED COMMUNITY WITH THE LEAST DISRUPTION. THANK YOU.
DAVID MALKIN: MY NAME IS DAVID MALKIN. I'M FROM ROWLAND HEIGHTS AND I HAD A PLANNED SPEECH HERE I WANT TO SPEAK FROM MY HEART RATHER THAN GO FROM WHAT I HAD TYPED OUT.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY.
DAVID MALKIN: AFTER LISTENING TO THE ATTORNEYS AND LISTENING TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT SPOKE EARLIER IN THE MORNING, I'M SPEAKING AS A RESIDENT THAT RECEIVES THE SERVICES FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. AND WHAT I'VE HEARD HERE SITTING HERE TODAY IS I EXPECTED RALPH EDWARDS TO COME OUT OF ONE OF THE DOORS TO SAY "THIS IS YOUR LIFE, SUPERVISOR DON KNABE." I'VE SEEN A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE COME HERE FROM ALL ETHNICITIES AND THEY'VE ALL TALKED AND SPOKEN HIGHLY ABOUT WHAT SUPERVISOR DON KNABE HAS DONE FOR THEM INDIVIDUALLY AND HAS DONE FOR THEM AS GROUPS, INCLUDING ONE INDIVIDUAL THAT NEEDED AN INTERPRETER IN ORDER TO SPEAK TO YOU. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE WHEN I LISTEN TO THESE ATTORNEYS GET INTO THE MINUTIA, AND THEY LOSE TRACK OF THE BIGGER PICTURE, AND WHAT I'M HERE TO SAY THE DON KNABE HAS REPRESENTED ALL ETHNICITIES, HE'S REPRESENTED ALL PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR CULTURE, THEIR BACKGROUND, THEIR AGE, WHERE THEY CAME FROM. AND I DO NOT FEEL THAT YOU NEED TO BE OF A CERTAIN ETHNICITY TO REPRESENT THAT ETHNICITY. IF WE WOULD TAKE WHAT'S GOING ON TODAY AND GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, WE WOULD NOT HAVE AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN AS PRESIDENT TODAY. AND I THINK WE NEED TO STEP FORWARD AND COME INTO THE CURRENT AGE. IN 1973, I DID A REPORT FOR UCLA IN BELVEDERE JUNIOR HIGH AND CITY TERRACE AND WE INTERVIEWED THE KIDS THAT WERE GOING TO BELVEDERE JUNIOR HIGH AS TO WHAT THEY WANTED TO BECOME WHEN THEY GREW UP. MAJORITY OF THE KIDS, IF NOT ALL OF THEM, WANTED TO BECOME WHAT THEY SAW WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY. THEY DID NOT ASPIRE TO BECOME DOCTORS, DENTISTS, LAYWERS, OR POLITICIANS BECUASE THEY DID NOT SEE THAT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE RECOMMENDED THAT THEY HAVE CAREER DAYS THAT YOU BRING PEOPLE IN THAT YOU COULD SEE OTHER HISPANICS THAT HAVE GONE AND SUCCEEDED IN THOSE OCCUPATIONS. WHAT YOU'RE DOING WITH S-1 IS YOU'RE GOING BACK TO THE '70S AND YOU'RE ENCAPSULATING THOSE CHILDREN INTO AN AREA WHERE THEY WILL NOT SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH. A-2 DOES NOT DO THAT AND I SUPPORT A-2 AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT IT FOR THE CHILDREN THAT LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITIES.
DR. GENEVIEVE CLAVREUL: GOOD AFTERNOON, DR. GENEVIEVE CLAUVREUL. FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO TOTALLY SUPPORT WHAT MR. ALAN CLAYTON SAID ABOUT THE EXPANSION OF THE BOARD. I HAVE BEEN ONE OF THOSE SERVANTS OF THAT. I THINK AS WE ARE LOOKING AT REDISTRICTING IT'S CERTAINLY A TIME WE WE SHOULD REALLY LOOKING AT THE EXPANSION OF THE BOARD, AND AND I THINK THAT WHAT'S GOING ON NOW SHOWS THAT IT'S NOT ENOUGH REPRESENTATION OF THE BOARD AND I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT LATINO, BLACK OR WHATEVER BUT REPRESENTATION IN GENERAL. AND WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENT DISTRICTS, MR. SUPERVISOR MARK RIDELY-THOMAS IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THELATINO POPULATION GROUP. YOU KNOW I THINK WE NEED TO STOP LABELING PEOPLE BY THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET PEOPLE WHO WILL BEHAVE IN A WAY WHO SUPPORT ALL THE COMMUNITY AND STOPPING THAT. I THINK WE NEED TO REDISTRICT BUT I THINK WE NEED TO EXPAND THE BOARD MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. AND I THINK WE NEED TO GO TO AT LEAST NINE OR 11 AND I THINK THAT'S ONE THING WE NEED TO PURSUE.
DAVID SERRANO: JESUS IS LORD, AMEN. VIVA JESUS CRISTO, AMEN. PRAISE THE LORD, AMEN. AT THIS TIME, REDISTRICTING IS UNNECESSARY. I THINK THAT THE DISTRICTS SHOULD BE KEPT THE WAY THEY ARE. IT IS UNNECESSARY TO REDISTRICT AT THIS TIME. THERE IS GOOD REPRESENTATION AND REDISTRICTING IS UNNECESSARY AT THIS TIME. IN THE HOLY BIBLE THE APOCALYPSE PROPHECIED AN UNPRECEDENTED CATACLYSMIC EARTHQUAKE WILL HAPPEN ON THE SAN ANDREAS FAULT IN THE MONTH OF MAY.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: TALK ON REAPPORTIONMENT. YOU SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. THAT CAN BE MADE UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT BUT RIGHT NOW WE ARE REAPPORTIONMENT.
DAVID SERRANO: PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT REDISTRICTING BUT AFTER THE TWO APOCALYPTIC EARTHQUAKES HAPPEN ON THE SAN ANDREAS FAULT IN THE MONTH OF MAY DESTROYING MALIBU, PACIFIC PALISADES, HOLLYWOOD HILLS, MOUNT VERDUGO AND MOUNT WASHINGTON, THERE'S GOING TO BE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THESE DISTRICTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE DEAD. IT'S SOMETHING TO WORRY ABOUT. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: MALIBU, SAN ANDREAS FAULT. SO GET YOUR FACTS CORRECT. NOW MR. SACHS.
DAVID SERRANO: GOD BLESS AMERICA.
ARNOLD SACHS: THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. ARNOLD SACHS. LISTENING TO SOME OF THE COMMENTARY, ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS THAT I HEARD WAS SOMEBODY MENTION THE FACT THAT THE POPULATION OF THE COUNTY HAS GROWN BY 400,000 LATINOS. AND THERE ARE DIFFERENT GROWTHS OF DIFFERENT POPULATIONS. WELL, THAT BRINGS UP THE POINT WHEN YOU DO A CENSUS EVERY 10 YEARS, THERE'S A SHIFT IN THE POPULATION. THAT COULD LED TO A SHIFT OF REPRESENTATION. YET THERE'S NO SHIFT IN REPRESENTATION IN THE COUNTY. THERE'S STILL FIVE SUPERVISORS. I'M SURE THAT IN THE TIME THAT THE BOARD HAS BEEN SITTING FOR THE MAJORITY, THE FOUR OF YOU, THE POPULATION HAS GROWN BY PROBABLY OVER 10 PERCENT, MAYBE 15 PERCENT, AND THERE'S STILL FIVE SUPERVISORS. IN THE END IT TAKES A LONG TIME, BUT YOU NEED TO COME DOWN AND MAKE THAT POINT ON A WEEKLY BASIS OR MONTHLY BASIS. SO THAT THAT'S THE SITUATION THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT. NOT CHANGING THE BOUNDARY LINES, BUT CHANGING THE REPRESENTATION THERE. START THERE AND THEN YOU CAN LOOK AT BOUNDARY LINES.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY. EXECUTIVE OFFICER, READ THE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR PLAN A-2 WITH SUPERVISOR KNABE'S PROPOSED ADDITIONAL REVISIONS TO SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2011. AND ACCEPT THE 2011 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: AND ANY OTHER SUPERVISOR CAN BRING FORTH?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: CORRECT OR INSTRUCT ME TO PUT AN ITEM ON FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: WHAT IS THE PROCESS BY WHICH CAN THAT BE DONE JUST ADMINISTRATIVELY?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: YES.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: DOESN'T HAVE TO BE DONE AT THE BOARD MEETING.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: NO.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: BUY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS NEXT TUESDAY?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: RIGHT. I BELIEVE, COUNTY COUNSEL, FOR POSTING REQUIREMENTS, WE NEED EVERYTHING--
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: WHAT DATE DO WE REQUIRE IT BY?
ANDREA ORDIN, COUNSEL: A WEEK FROM THIS-
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: THE 16TH.
ANDREA ORDIN: AUGUST 16TH.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: A WEEK FROM TODAY. IS THAT 5 O'CLOCK AUGUST 16TH?
ANDREA ORDIN: 5 O'CLOCK AUGUST 16TH.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: A LETTER WITH A TRANSMITTAL TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER IS SUFFICIENT TO HAVE IT CONSIDERED SEPTEMBER 6TH?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: CORRECT.
ANDREA ORDIN: YES.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING?
ANDREA ORDIN: YES, IT IS.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SUPERVISOR MOLINA?
SUP. MOLINA: MR. MAYOR, CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS, LET ME THANK FIRST OF ALL MR. PEDERSON AND THE LEADERSHIP HE PROVIDED TO THE BOUNDARY COMMITTEE AS WELL AS ALL THE MEMBERS THAT SPENT ALL OF THOSE HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY HEARINGS THAT THEY HELD AS WELL AS THE C.A.O. STAFF. I ALSO WANT TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE WHO PRESENTED BEFORE THE COMMISSION. THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATED VERY ACTIVELY AND FOLLOWED UP ON ALL. I PARTICULARLY WANT TO THANK MY APPOINTEES WHO SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE: STEVE REYES AND SHAWN ANDRETTI AS WELL AS MY ALTERNATES LUIS ALAGAI AND ALMA MARTINEZ. THEY DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB IN ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF L.A. COUNTY. SO I WANT TO THANK THEM. BUT I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. AND I THINK I'D LIKE TO BEGIN BY ASKING A QUESTION OF COUNTY COUNSEL OR THE COUNSEL FOR THE BOUNDARY COMMITTEE. I WANT TO BEGIN BY ASKING A COUPLE QUESTIONS OF CLARIFICATION SO THAT I UNDERSTAND. AND THIS MIGHT REQUIRE SACHI OR SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH TO RESPOND. I'M NOT SURE. I WANT TO GET CONFIRMATION OF WHAT THE TIME AND TODAY, WE BEGAN THE HEARING ON I GUESS WHAT IS KNOWN AS A-2, WHICH IS THE MAP THAT CAME OUT OF THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION. WITH THREE VOTES. AND SO WE'RE DOING TODAY IS THE BEGINNING OF THAT HEARING, IS THAT CORRECT?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: IT'S THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING AS I UNDERSTAND IT.
SUP. MOLINA: AND THERE WILL BE A SECOND HEARING WHEN?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: WELL, THIS ITEM IS BEING CONTINUED RIGHT NOW TO SEPTEMBER 6TH. SO IT'S STILL ON THE SEPTEMBER 6TH AGENDA, IT'S STILL THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING. YOU HAVE NOT CLOSED THIS PUBLIC HEARING.
SUP. MOLINA: ALL RIGHT. SO EACH OF THESE HAVE TO HAVE TWO HEARINGS, IS THAT CORRECT?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: YES.
ANDREA ORDIN: YES, THAT IS CORRECT.
SUP. MOLINA: THAT IS CORRECT. AND SO THAT AT THE SEPTEMBER 6TH HEARING, ANYTHING THAT IS INTRODUCED BETWEEN NOW AND AUGUST 16TH, IS IT STARTS THE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: THE PUBLIC HEARING WOULD THEN GET SET, THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING WOULD GET SET FOR THE SEPTEMBER 6TH AGENDA
SUP. MOLINA: AND IT WILL HAVE?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING WOULD THEN FOLLOW, ASSUMING THAT THAT FIRST PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. SO, FOR EXAMPLE-
SUP. MOLINA: IF THIS PUBLIC HEARING IS AT BEGINNING OF THAT MAP AND THAT CONTINUES. AND THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING IS ON SEPTEMBER THE SIXTH.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: NOT FOR THE ONE THAT WAS HEARD TODAY, WHAT I JUST READ IS CONTINUING THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING TO SEPTEMBER 6TH.
SUP. MOLINA: SO THOSE MAPS THAT MAY POTENTIALLY BE INTRODUCED BETWEEN NOW AND AUGUST THE 16TH WOULD HAVE ITS FIRST HEARING.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: ON SEPTEMBER 6TH.
SUP. MOLINA: ON SEPTEMBER THE 6TH. AND WHEN WOULD IT HAVE THE SECOND HEARING?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: PRESUMING THAT IT CLOSES ON SEPTEMBER 6TH THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING THEN COULD BE THE--
ANDREA ORDIN: THE 27TH.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: THE 27TH OF SEPTEMBER.
SUP. MOLINA: THE 27TH OF SEPTEMBER?
CLERK SASHI HAMAI: YES.
SUP. MOLINA: AND SO WHAT COULD STOP IT ON SEPTEMBER THE SIXTH?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: WHAT COULD STOP IT WOULD BE IF YOU DID NOT HAVE THE VOTES TO PROCEED TO CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVING IT INTO THE SECOND.
SUP. MOLINA: NO ON SEPTEMBER THE SIXTH, IT IS ONLY CONTINUED. SO THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING IS? IF IT'S NOT CLOSED TODAY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND CLEARLY WHERE WE'RE AT. THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING WOULD BE ON SEPTEMBER 27TH. WOULD THAT ALSO BE CONSIDERED FOR ANY OTHER MAPS THAT ARE INTRODUCED BETWEEN NOW AND AUGUST THE 15TH OR 16TH?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: I'M SORRY. I MISSED THE FIRST PART OF THE QUESTION.
SUP. MOLINA: WOULD THAT ALSO BE CONSIDERED AT THAT TIME? SEPTEMBER THE SIXTH WOULD BE THE FIRST HEARING, SEPTEMBER THE 27TH WOULD BE THE SECOND HEARING, IS THAT CORRECT?
ANDREA ORDIN: THAT'S RIGHT.
SUP. MOLINA: ALL RIGHT. THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROCESS IS. SO THAT'S THE FIRST CLARIFICATION.
SUP. KNABE: THE REASON WE CAN'T CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING TODAY IS BECAUSE OF THE AMENDMENTS I MADE TO A-2.
SUP. MOLINA: I UNDERSTAND. BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT THE PROCESS WOULD BE FOR ANY MAPS THAT ARE INTRODUCED AFTER.
SUP. KNABE: THE OTHER QUESTION I WOULD HAVE IN FOLLOWING UP ON SUPERVISOR MOLINA'S QUESTION IS WE HAD A B.R.C. SO WE'RE NOT- DO WE HAVE TO HAVE 13 PLANS GO THROUGH THE WHOLE 13 PLANS AGAIN? OR IS IT JUST S-1 AND A-2? S-1 HAS NOT BEEN SUBMITTED YET. THERE'S NO REASON TO HAVE A B.R.C. IF YOU HAVE TO INTRODUCE 13 PLANS BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT TUESDAY.
SPEAKER: SUPERVISOR I BELIEVE AS A PRACTICAL MATTER IT WOULD ONLY BE A LIMITED NUMBER OF PLANS. PLAN A-2 AND RECOMMENDED AS REVISED FOR YOU TODAY AND ANY OTHER PLAN THAT WOULD BE SUBMITTED PRIOR.
SUP. KNABE: PLAN OR PLANS?
SPEKAER: WELL POTENTIALLY I SUPPOSE IT COULD BE PLANS?
SUP. KNABE: DID WE HAVE 15 PLANS SUBMITTED TO B.R.C.?
SPEAKER: CERTAINLY THAT IS TRUE. AND THE STATUE CONTEMPLATES THAT THE B.R.C. IS AN ADVISORY BODY TO THE BOARD. BUT THE BOARD MAKES ITS OWN DECISIONS. IF THE BOARD CHOOSES TO REVIEW OTHER PLANS, IT IS CERTAINLY WITHIN YOUR BOARD'S DISCRETION TO DO SO.
SUP. MOLINA: TO GO BACK TO MY QUESTION.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: BEFORE YOU GO ON, CAN I JUST CLARIFY WHAT YOU SAID? I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE SAME THING. SO SUB KNABE'S AMENDMENT TODAY- SUPERVISOR KNABE'S AMENDMENT THAT HE MADE TODAY WAS TODAY'S PUBLIC HEARING INCLUSIVE OF THAT AMENDMENT? OR IS THAT GOING TO BE ON SEPTEMBER 6TH?
SPEAKER: THAT WILL BE ON SEPTEMBER 6TH. I THINK THROUGH PRUDENCE AND THROUGH THE EXERCISE OF DISCRETION, THEY ARE SMALL AMENDMENTS TO A-2. BUT IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE SIXTH. AND THAT'S WHY YOUR BOARD CONTINUED IT.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE'S A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED FOR HIS AMENDMENT, IT WAS NOT TODAY? IT WILL BE ON SEPTEMBER 6TH?
SPEAKER: WELL THERE'S TECHNICALLY NOT A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIREMENT FOR THE EXTENT OF AMENDMENTS THAT HE MADE. BUT TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC MORE--
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: LET'S SUPPOSE IT WAS A SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE.
SPEAKER: IF IT WAS A SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE, WE WOULD RENOTICE IT AGAIN.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: SO THE SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE WOULD HAVE BEM ON SEPTEMBER 6TH.
SPEAKER: THAT'S CORRECT, SUPERVISOR.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: SO IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE PROPOSED TODAY, THE PUBLIC HEARING- THEY'D BE IN THE SAME TRAJECTORY CHRONOLOGY-WISE AS ANYTHING THAT IS INTRODUCED BETWEEN TODAY AND NEXT WEEK?
SPEAKER: THAT'S CORRECT.
SUP. MOLINA: ALL RIGHT. I'D LIKE TO FOLLOW-UP ON SOME OF THE OTHER QUESTIONS AND ASK QUESTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE AND ITS STAFF. AGAIN, IT IS AS WAS DETERMINED AGAIN WITHIN THE COMMITTEE, IN THE GARZA ISSUE, WHAT DID THE COMMITTEE DO WITH REGARD TO ASPECTS OF GARZA?
LAURA BRILL: I'M SORRY, SUPERVISOR, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION. WHAT DID THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE DO?
SUP. MOLINA: HOW WAS IT DISCUSSED? WHAT WAS THE FRAMEWORK? WHAT WAS THE ISSUE? WAS IT BROUGHT UP?
LAURA BRILL: WAS THAT SOMETHING I SHOULD ADDRESS?
LAURA BRILL: I'M HAPPY, TO, SURE.
SUP. MOLINA: DO YOU NOT COUNSEL FOR THE COMMITTEE?
LAURA BRILL: I DIDN'T ATTEND ALL OF THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE HEARINGS, SUPERVISOR. I ATTENDED THOSE THAT I WAS REQUESTED TO ATTEND. AT THOSE THAT I ATTENDED IN GENERAL, GARZA WAS DISCUSSED, THE MORE RECENT DECISION IN CONNO VERSUS DAVIS WAS DISCUSSED, A VARIETY OF OTHER CASES WERE DISCUSSED. AND SO I BELIEVE A SUMMARY, AT LEAST ONE OF THE SPEAKERS PROVIDED A DESCRIPTION OF THE GARZA CASE TO THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE.
SUP. MOLINA: SO WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE VARIOUS PLANS AS SUPERVISOR KNABE MENTIONED IN WHICH THERE WAS VARIOUS PLANS, MANY OF THEM, WHICH INTRODUCED TWO LATINO OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS, THERE WAS NO FRAMEWORK OR ANY DISCUSSION WITHIN THE BOUNDARY COMMITTEE WITH REGARD TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER GARZA?
LAURA BRILL: I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOU MEAN BY THAT, SUPERVISOR. GARZA RESULTED IN A CONSENT JUDGMENT. BUT THE CONSENT JUDGMENT IS NO LONGER IN FORCE. SO THERE WASN'T AN ISSUE WITH THAT.
SUP. MOLINA: BUT THERE WERE ISSUES THAT WERE RELATED. ONE ASPECT OF REDISTRICTING, WHETHER IT WAS 1959 OR TODAY, THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH REGARD TO HOW THESE LINES ARE DRAWN. IT WAS, AGAIN, THROUGH THE GARZA DECISION THAT FORCED THIS ENTIRE BOARD TO LOOK INTO AND TO REDRAW ITS LINES AND WAS FORCED BY A COURT ORDER. THERE WERE ASPECTS OF VIOLATION OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AT THAT TIME THAT CLEARLY POINTED TO THIS COUNTY HAVING TO REDRAW ITS LINES. SO I'M ASKING THE QUESTION WITHIN THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE, WAS THERE ANY ASPECT OF GARZA DISCUSSED AND ITS DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES OR OBLIGATIONS TO THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT?
LAURA BRILL: THERE WAS A BROAD DISCUSSION, SUPERVISOR, REGARDING GARZA AND A VARIETY OF OTHER CASES. THERE WAS AN OVERVIEW PROVIDED REGARDING THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, REGARDING THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND STATE LAW. SO THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT LEGAL REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO REDISTRICTING.
SUP. MOLINA: ALL RIGHT. SO AGAIN THOSE ISSUES WERE NEVER BROUGHT UP TO YOU AND ASKED IN ANY RESPECT TO THE ISSUES MAYBE NOT OF GARZA BUT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT POTENTIALLY?
LAURA BRILL: I'M NOT SURE WHAT ISSUES PARTICULARLY YOU'RE DESCRIBING, BUT THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND THE COUNTY'S LEGAL OBLIGATIONS UNDER IT CLEARLY.
SUP. MOLINA: IN THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE, WAS THERE ANY SENTIMENT OR FEELING OR RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT?
LAURA BRILL: I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, ALTHOUGH THEY DID, IN TERMS OF THEIR SUBJECTIVE THOUGHTS, BUT THEY PASSED A MOTION ASKING FOR ANALYSIS OF THE SECTION 2 COMPLIANCE WITH RESPECT TO THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.
SUP. MOLINA: WAS THAT PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE?
LAURA BRILL: IT WAS PRESENTED TO YOUR BOARD.
SUP. MOLINA: IT WAS NOT PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE?
LAURA BRILL: NO. THERE WAS A PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION PROVIDED TO THE COMMITTEE. BUT THEN THERE WAS A MORE DETAILED DECISION THAT'S BEEN PROVIDED TO THE BOARD.
SUP. MOLINA: SO WHEN THOSE ISSUES, WHEN THE COMMITTEE ASKED THAT REVIEW, THOSE ISSUES WERE NOT PRESENTED, THE VOTING ACT RESPONSIBILITIES WERE NOT PRESENTED TO THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE?
LAURA BRILL: I DON'T THINK THAT'S ACCURATE, SUPERVISOR. THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT LEGAL COMPLIANCE AND THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.
SUP. MOLINA: OKAY. THEN I'M ASKING YOU. WHAT ISSUES OF COMPLIANCE DID THEY DISCUSS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE?
LAURA BRILL: THERE WAS A DISCUSSION SIMILAR TO WHAT I PRESENTED THIS MORNING, SUPERVISOR, REGARDING WHAT THE OBLIGATIONS ARE UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.
SUP. MOLINA: SO WHAT WERE THE OBLIGATIONS THAT WERE DISCUSSED?
LAURA BRILL: UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, WE DISCUSSED THE GINGLES PRECONDITIONS AND THE TOTALITY OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES. WHAT THE MEANING IS OF POLARIZED VOTING, WHEN THERE ARE OBLIGATIONS TO CREATE MAJORITY/MINORITY DISTRICTS, VERY SIMILAR TO-
SUP. MOLINA: SO UNDER THE THREE CONDITIONS UNDER GINGLES, DID THE DISCUSSION ON THE FIRST CONDITION. IS THAT A CONDITION THAT HAS BEEN MET UNDER THIS RESPONSIBILITY OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT?
LAURA BRILL: YES, SUPERVISOR. THERE ARE ISSUES OF PRIVILEGE AT THIS STAGE. I MEAN, I THINK ALL OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEES' PROCEEDINGS WERE RECORDED AND ARE ALL AVAILABLE. SO WHEN IT GETS TO SINCE LITIGATION HAS BEEN THREATENED AGAINST THE COUNTY, WHEN IT COMES TO PROVIDING A DISCUSSION OF HOW THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT COMPLIES APPLIES TO THE PARTICULAR DISTRICTS, I THINK THAT'S NOT AN ISSUE TO WHICH THE BOARD'S WAIVED THE PRIVILEGE.
SUP. MOLINA: I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO WAIVE PRIVILEGE. I'M ASKING A VERY CLEAR QUESTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE TO VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. AND WHEN I ASKED YOU A QUESTION OF WHAT WAS ASKED AND HOW IT WAS EXPLAINED, YOU'RE SAYING THERE'S CONFIDENTIALITY.
LAURA BRILL: I THOUGHT YOU WERE ASKING A DIFFERENT QUESTION, SUPERVISOR. SORRY.
SUP. MOLINA: I'M NOT ASKING A DIFFERENT QUESTION. I'M ASKING THE VERY SAME QUESTION. WERE THESE ISSUES BROUGHT UP?
CURT PEDERSON: SUPERVISOR?
SUP. MOLINA: YES, SIR.
CURT PEDERSON: WE DID DISCUSS THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT IN GREAT LENGTH.
SUP. MOLINA: THANK YOU.
CURT PEDERSON: AND MISS BRILL SAID THAT WHILE IT WAS NOT HER FINAL OPINION BUT SHE FELT THAT BOTH S-1 AND A-2 MET THE GUIDELINES OF SECTION 2 OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. AND SHE THEN STATED THAT A FINAL REPORT WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PRIOR TO THIS MEETING MORE SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING THE VOTER RIGHTS ACT RELATIVE TO THE TWO PLANS.
SUP. MOLINA: OKAY. THANK YOU. THEN LET ME ASK QUESTIONS WITH REGARD TO A-2. WHAT IN A-2 DO YOU THINK FULFILLS THE RESPONSIBILITY UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT?
LAURA BRILL: SO THAT'S GETTING INTO AN AREA OF PRIVILEGE, SUPERVISOR. AND I BELIEVE THAT THE BOARD HASN'T WAIVED THE PRIVILEGE IN TERMS OF THE SPECIFICS OF HOW THERE OF THAT.
SPEAKER: YES, SUPERVISOR. I THINK THAT MISS BRILL CAN ANSWER ON A GENERAL LEVEL AS REFLECTED IN HER MEMO THAT WAS RELEASED PUBLICLY AND AS CONSISTENT WITH THE ADVICE GIVEN TO THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE PUBLICLY. WITH REGARD TO THE VERY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AS TO HOW IT SPECIFICALLY APPLIES WITH PLAN A-2--
SUP. MOLINA: MR. PEDERSON JUST SAID THAT UNDER A-2 IT COMPLIED WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. SO I'M ASKING A LEGAL QUESTION OF HOW DO THEY CONCLUDE THAT THAT WAS THE CASE?
SPEAKER: AND LET ME CLARIFY, CHAIRPERSON PEDERSON'S REMARKS, I BELIEVE THAT MISS BRILL SAID THAT THE PLANS WOULD LIKELY COMPLY WITH SECTION 2 BASED UPON HER PRELIMINARY REVIEW. AND THAT A FULLER REVIEW WOULD BE DONE ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD. PERHAPS MISS BRILL CAN ELABORATE ON WHAT SHE TOLD THE COMMITTEE PUBLICLY AND WHAT IS IN HER PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
LAURA BRILL: THAT'S CORRECT AS COUNTY COUNSEL DESCRIBED IT. I DESCRIBED A PRELIMINARY TO THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE, I DESCRIBED A PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF ELECTIONS AND THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT THAT THERE WAS LIKELY COMPLIANCE. AND THEN I'VE DONE FURTHER ANALYSIS AND PROVIDED DETAILS TO THE BOARD AND HAVE PROVIDED PUBLIC INFORMATION THAT THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL CROSSOVER VOTING IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY.
SUP. MOLINA: AND CROSSOVER VOTING AS PART OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT?
LAURA BRILL: OH YES CROSSOVER VOTING IS PART OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT BECAUSE UNDER GINGLES PRECONDITION 3, YOU DON'T JUST LOOK AT WHETHER THERE'S SOME ELEMENT OF POLARIZED VOTING THERE HAS TO BE SUCH SUBSTANTIAL POLARIZED VOTING THAT LATINO CANDIDATES OF CHOICE DO NOT HAVE A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO WIN ELECTIONS.
SUP. MOLINA: AND THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE CONCLUDED THAT?
LAURA BRILL: I THINK THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE DETERMINED THAT IT WAS FOR THE BOARD TO ASSESS SECTION 2 COMPLIANCE. AND THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT THAT THERE WAS LIKELY COMPLIANCE AND THAT THERE WOULD BE FURTHER SECTION 2 REVIEW PROVIDED TO THE BOARD.
SUP. MOLINA: I DIDN'T HEAR THAT IN MR. PEDERSON'S REPORT THIS MORNING THAT IT WAS UP TO THIS BOARD TO MAKE A CONCLUSION AS TO WHETHER THEY WOULD BE FUNCTIONING UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OR NOT BECAUSE YOU KEEP SAYING THAT WE DID NOT DISCUSS IT. IT'S UP TO THE BOARD TO MAKE A DETERMINATION.
LAURA BRILL: NO. I PROVIDED A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT TO THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE ABOUT THE LIKELY COMPLIANCE WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. AND THEN THEY PASSED A MOTION ASKING FOR FURTHER SECTION 2 REVIEW. AND THAT REVIEW HAS BEEN DONE AND HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO THE BOARD. AND IT'S THE BOARD'S RESPONSIBILITY ULTIMATELY TO ENSURE THAT THE LINES THAT ARE DRAWN COMPLY WITH SECTION 2.
SUP. MOLINA: SO IN THE ADOPTION OF A-2, THE BOUNDARY COMMITTEE, YOU WOULD CONCLUDE THAT IT MET THE RESPONSIBILITIES OR THE OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT?
LAURA BRILL: WHAT I PROVIDED TO THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE WAS AN INITIAL ASSESSMENT THAT IT WAS LIKELY TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 2. AND THEN I PROVIDED A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS TO THE BOARD THAT THE BOARD HAS.
SUP. MOLINA: AND SO WITH THE POPULATION OF 48 PERCENT OF LATINOS, IS THAT UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, WOULD YOU SAY THAT A-2 REPRESENTS THE POTENTIAL OF CREATING TWO LATINO OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS?
LAURA BRILL: WELL YOU'RE ASKING ME NOW TO GIVE A FINAL, GIVE AN APPLICATION OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT TO A-2, I BELIEVE THAT'S A MATTER ON WHICH THE BOARD HASN'T WAIVED THE PRIVILEGE. BUT IN THE PARTICULARS OF SPEAKING GENERALLY, SECTION 2 LOOKS AT CITIZEN VOTING AGE POPULATION, WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE IS UP TO 48 PERCENT FOR LATINO VOTERS. AND THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL CROSSOVER VOTING, INCLUDING IN A VARIETY OF ELECTIONS THAT ARE NOT CONSIDERED IN THE REPORT THAT PROFESSOR LEVITT AND HIS COLLEAGUES SUBMITTED AND THAT ARE LIKELY, AND THOSE OMISSIONS THE BOARD MAY WISH TO KEEP IN MIND IN HOW IT ASSESSED AND HOW MUCH WEIGHT IT GIVES TO THAT REPORT.
SUP. MOLINA: IN EACH OF YOUR RESPONSES, YOU KEEP ALLUDING TO THE FACT THAT YOU'RE MEETING THOSE CRITERIA. SO I'M ASKING THE QUESTION. DOES UNDER THE PRESENT MAP THAT THE B.R.C. ADOPTED AS A MAJORITY REPORT, DOES IT PROVIDE FOR TWO LATINO OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS? YES OR NO?
LAURA BRILL: YOU KNOW, THAT, AGAIN, YOU'RE ASKING FOR A LEGAL OPINION ON THE PARTICULAR APPLICATION. AND SO THAT'S A MATTER ON WHICH I THINK THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A WAIVER OF PRIVILEGE. BUT WHAT I'LL SAY IS THAT THAT TERM HAS BEEN USED IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT WAYS IN THESE PRESENTATIONS. AND IN THE REPORT SUBMITTED BY PROFESSOR LEVITT AND HIS COLLEAGUES, IT SEEMS TO REFER TO AN ABILITY TO CONTROL ELECTIONS AND TO DETERMINE THE OUTCOME DEFINITIVELY. THAT'S NOT WHAT THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT REQUIRES. IT REQUIRES AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY.
SUP. MOLINA: AND SO WHAT IN A-2 REQUIRES THAT EQUAL OPPORTUNITY?
LAURA BRILL: I THINK YOU'RE ASKING THE SAME QUESTION THAT I'VE ANSWERED BEFORE.
SUP. MOLINA: YOU KEEP REPEATING TO ME THAT THERE ARE- AND I'M JUST TRYING TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING. SO NONE OF THE LEGAL QUESTIONS ARE GOING TO BE ANSWERED HERE, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING UNDER THE LEGAL RATIONALE FOR THE MAJORITY MAP? IS THAT CORRECT?
LAURA BRILL: I WOULDN'T SAY NONE OF THE LEGAL QUESTIONS. I HAVEN'T HEARD ALL OF THEM. BUT MANY OF THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS IN TERMS OF--
SUP. MOLINA: NONE OF THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE RATIONALE IN THE MAJORITY MAP AS TO HOW IT COMPLIES WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.
LAURA BRILL: WHAT I CAN SAY IN TERMS OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S SOME CONFUSION CREATED BY THE LEVITT REPORT IN TERMS OF WHAT IT ADDRESSES AND WHAT IT DOES NOT ADDRESS. AND SO I CAN COME AT IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PROVIDING PUBLIC INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION ABOUT SOME ELECTIONS THAT AREN'T CONSIDERED IN THAT REPORT AND HOW THAT REPORT DOES ITS ANALYSIS SO THAT THE BOARD CAN WEIGH THAT REPORT AND DETERMINE HOW MUCH WEIGHT TO GIVE TO IT.
SUP. MOLINA: CAN YOU DO THAT PUBLICLY?
LAURA BRILL: YES.
SUP. MOLINA: CAN YOU GIVE ME SAMPLES OF THOSE ELECTIONS?
LAURA BRILL: ABSOLUTELY. THERE ARE IN REACHING THEIR CONCLUSIONS ABOUT THE EXTENT OF NON-LATINO SUPPORT FOR LATINO CANDIDATES OF CHOICE, THEY DO NOT CONSIDER SHERIFF BACA'S WIN, ANY OF THEM. THEY DO NOT CONSIDER BUSTAMANTE'S WIN FOR INSURANCE COMMISSIONER IN 2006. BUSTAMANTE'S WIN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN 1998. ASSESSOR NOGUEZ'S WIN IN THE 2010 GENERAL ELECTION. THEY DO NOT CONSIDER ABEL MALDONADO'S WINNING THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR CONTROLLER IN 2006. THEY DO NOT CONSIDER PROPOSITION 54 IN 2003. THEY DO NOT CONSIDER ANY PROPOSITIONS IN THE LAST DECADE. THEY DO NOT CONSIDER ANY GENERAL ELECTIONS. THEY DO NOT CONSIDER ANY ELECTION IN WHICH NO LATINO CANDIDATE RAN. AND SO THERE ARE A VARIETY OF ELECTIONS THAT WERE NOT CONSIDERED. THEY ALSO DO NOT CONSIDER ANY ELECTIONS FOR JUDGES PRECEDING 2006 INCLUDING INFORMATION ABOUT JUDGE ESCOBEDA, JUDGE GOMEZ, JUDGE BASSIA GALUPO, ALL OF THOSE WON BOTH PRIMARIES AND GENERALS, I BELIEVE, JOHN GUTIERREZ WON IN 2002, HE WAS SECOND IN THE PRIMARY ADVANCING TO THE GENERAL. HE DID NOT WIN THE GENERAL. RICHARD NORANJO IN THE 39TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT WON BOTH THE PRIMARY AND THE GENERAL. SO THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF THE ELECTIONS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THAT REPORT THAT THEY HAVE PROVIDED TO YOU.
SUP. MOLINA: AND SO MISS BRILL, WHAT YOU'RE SAYING BASICALLY THAT IN THOSE ELECTIONS IF THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN CONCLUDED, IF THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED, THEY WOULD HAVE SHOW NO RACIALLY POLARIZED VOTING; IS THAT CORRECT? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?
LAURA BRILL: I'M NOT SAYING THAT. I'M SAYING THOSE ARE VICTORIES. WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS NOT GET INTO WAIVING THE PRIVILEGE. THESE ARE BASED ON PUBLIC INFORMATION.
SUP. MOLINA: BUT IN THE GINGLES AGAIN, WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THOSE OTHER, THE LAST TWO SECTIONS OF IT THAT WERE DISCUSSED HERE AT LENGTH, YOU'RE RAISING ALL OF THESE ELECTIONS.
LAURA BRILL: YES.
SUP. MOLINA: AND YOU'RE SAYING BECAUSE OF THE CONCLUSION OF THOSE ELECTIONS, THERE WAS NO RACIAL POLARIZED VOTING? YES OR NO?
LAURA BRILL: I DON'T THINK THE BOARD'S INSTRUCTED ME TO GET INTO MATTERS OF PRIVILEGE AND TO ADDRESS APPLICATION OF THOSE--
SUP. MOLINA: EXCUSE ME, EXCUSE ME! EXCUSE ME! THESE ARE MY QUESTIONS. YOU CAN BE ENTITLED TO ASK YOUR QUESTIONS. CAN I ASK AGAIN: I DON'T KNOW THAT I'M TRYING TO GET AT THE ISSUE OF WAIVING PRIVILEGE. I'M TRYING TO GET AT THE ISSUE YOU ARE COUNSEL FOR BOUNDARY COMMITTEE. AND SO CONSEQUENTLY I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL PREMISE UNDER WHICH THE BOUNDARY COMMITTEE CONCLUDED YES OR NO WHETHER IN FACT IT WAS MEETING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. I'M SORRY, SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY. I WANT TO GET ANSWERS TO THIS. AGAIN, I GUESS I COULD ASK THE BOARD TO WAIVE PRIVILEGE SO THAT I COULD GET ANSWERS TO THESE LEGAL QUESTIONS.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: MAYBE WE COULD WAIVE THE PRIVILEGE ON THE CHILD WELFARE DOCUMENTS, TOO.
SUP. MOLINA: I THINK YOU VOTED IN THAT DIRECTION, SIR.
SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: I DID.
SUP. MOLINA: WE WOULD WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY AGAIN. SO THE ISSUE IS I'M ASKING QUESTIONS. AS COUNSEL TO THE COMMITTEE, I MEAN THESE QUESTIONS I MEAN OBVIOUSLY HAD TO BE EXPLAINED AND UNDERSTOOD. BUT I'M GETTING THE IMPRESSION THAT YOU SAID THAT WHAT THE INFORMATION YOU GAVE THEM WAS A BRIEF OUTLINE. AND BASICALLY MORE WAS CONCLUDED IN THE REPORT THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE BOARD. WELL IT'S INTERESTING IN LOCKING AT ALL OF THOSE DYNAMICS AND YOU LOOK AT THOSE OTHER RACES, BUT THE STATE BOUNDARY COMMITTEE UNDER THE GIBSON DON CRUTCHER REPORT, THEY CLEARLY CONCLUDED THAT IN L.A. COUNTY THE NUMBERS WERE SUFFICIENT TO MANDATE AN OBLIGATION TO THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. AND I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THESE TWO AND HOW THEY WERE DISCUSSED AND WHAT FRAMEWORK. WHICH I THINK THIS IS THE OBLIGATION THAT THIS BOARD WILL HAVE. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE PROVIDES AN ADVISORY SET OF MAPS POTENTIALLY. BUT I GUESS I'M TRYING TO LOOK AT IT WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF OBLIGATION AND RESPONSIBILITY THAT THIS BOARD HAS. AND SO WHEN IT'S PRESENTING A MAJORITY MAP, I'M TRYING TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING IF THEY ARE LOOKING AT FULFILLING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OR NOT.
LAURA BRILL: SUPERVISOR, AS I DESCRIBED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE HEARING TODAY, THE BOARD HAS AN OBLIGATION TO COMPLY WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. AND I TRIED AS CLEARLY AS I COULD TO LAY OUT WHAT THOSE STANDARDS ARE. THE ELECTIONS THAT ARE OMITTED FROM THE LEVITT AND BARRETO REPORTS REPRESENT A LARGE NUMBER OF ELECTIONS. THE GIBSON, DUNN REPORT THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THAT DOES NOT GIVE ANY INDICATION BEYOND ONE ELECTION FOR-- IT FOCUSES ON CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 37, WHICH IS ALMOST ENTIRELY OR ENTIRELY IN SD-2. AND MOST OF THE ANALYSIS SEEMS TO BE ON THAT DISTRICT. AND THEY DID NOT PROVIDE ALL OF ANY OTHER-- THEY DIDN'T PROVIDE THE FULL BASIS OF WHAT THEIR REPORT WAS. SO IF WE SAW THAT INFORMATION, WE COULD LOOK AT IT AND DECIDE WHAT WEIGHT TO GIVE IT. BUT THEY DIDN'T PROVIDE THE UNDERLYING MATERIAL TO EXPLAIN THAT CONCLUSION.
SUP. MOLINA: THEY HAVE NOT.
LAURA BRILL: NO. I MEAN, THEY HAVE NOT. IDON'T KNOW, I ASSUME THEY DID TO THE-- I ASSUME IT WAS PROVIDED TO THE STATE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE. BUT IT HASN'T BEEN PROVIDED HERE AND I HAVE NOT SEEN IT.
SUP. MOLINA: YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT.
LAURA BRILL: NO.
SUP. MOLINA: SO IN REGARD TO THE ISSUE OF AGAIN UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, COULD YOU DESCRIBE WHAT WOULD BE, I GUESS, THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF "PACKING A DISTRICT"?
LAURA BRILL: PACKING, AND THIS WAS ALSO DISCUSSED AT THE B.R.C. HEARING. "CRACKING". AND THEY'RE OFTEN THROWN AROUND SIMILARLY TO THE WAY THE TERM "POLARIZED VOTING" IS THROWN AROUND. AND THEY CAN BE USED IN CONFUSING WAYS. SO AS IT'S RELEVANT TO A LEGAL ANALYSIS, PACKING WOULD MEAN CONCENTRATING A MINORITY GROUP SO MUCH IN ONE DISTRICT SO THAT IN OTHER DISTRICTS THEY DO NOT HAVE A FAIR AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF THEIR CHOICE. AND SO CRACKING WOULD BE DIVIDING UP MINORITY GROUPS SO THAT THEY, WITH THE RESULT THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A FAIR AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT CANDIDATES OF CHOICE. BUT YOU CAN'T APPLY THOSE LABELS SORT OF IN THE ABSTRACT JUST LOOKING AT NUMBERS BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT REALLY MEANINGFUL IN THAT WAY UNLESS THEY'RE ALSO ACCOMPANIED WITH THE INABILITY TO ELECT.
SUP. MOLINA: SO IN THE A-2 MAP THAT IS PRESENTED, DISTRICT 1, UNDER YOUR LEGAL OPINION, DOES NOT INVOLVE PACKING AT ALL?
LAURA BRILL: YOU KNOW, AGAIN WE'RE GETTING INTO THE AREAS OF PRIVILEGE. THE NUMBERS ARE PUBLIC. SO I DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S NOT BEEN A PUBLIC...IN TERMS OF ARE THE NUMBERS SUFFICIENT TO CREATE A VOTING RIGHTS ACT VIOLATION? THAT IS A MATTER ON WHICH IT'S BEEN IT'S PRIVILEGED IN TERMS OF WHAT THE APPLICATION IS.
SUP. MOLINA: THIS IS A PUBLIC MEETING WITH HOPEFULLY A DISCUSSION OF THESE ISSUES IN A PUBLIC SETTING.
LAURA BRILL: WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT ALL OF THE DATA ABOUT WHAT THE DISTRICT LINES ARE AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF ELECTION DATA ARE ALL PUBLICLY AVAILABLE. THE REGISTRAR-RECORDER HAS ELECTION OUTCOMES. AND SO ALL OF THE DATA ON WHICH THE POLARIZATION ANALYSES AND OTHER ANALYSES CAN BE DONE ARE ALL PUBLIC INFORMATION.
SUP. MOLINA: ALL RIGHT. THE COMMITTEE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT A MINORITY REPORT. AND AS I'VE BEEN READING AND GOING THROUGH IT, IT PROVIDES ALL OF THESE LEGAL CONCLUSIONS IN A VERY CLEARLY, VERY LEGAL, VERY STATISTICALLY-ORIENTED FASHION. IT DOESN'T HIDE ANY OF IT. IT PRESENTS TO THIS BOARD A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT FACTS, TO LOOK AT THE LAW, TO LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, TO LOOK AT ANALYSIS AND TO LOOK AT HISTORIC DISCRIMINATION. AND SO I REALLY THANK THE MEMBERS THAT PUT TOGETHER THE MINORITY REPORT BECAUSE IT PRESENTS ALL OF THOSE THINGS HERE FOR THIS BOARD. AND I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER REAPPORTIONMENT, AS THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF CENSUS, IT DOES TALK ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR CHANGE. AND I UNDERSTAND THE DISCOMFORT WITH CHANGE. ANYBODY IS UNCOMFORTABLE FROM THOSE KINDS OF POTENTIAL CHANGES AND SWEEPING CHANGES THAT MIGHT OCCUR IN A DISTRICT. BUT IT IS CLEARLY SPEAKING TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES, THE DUTIES AND THE OBLIGATIONS THAT THIS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS. IT HAS NOT MET IT IN THE PAST. IT'S DISCRIMINATION. AND CERTAINLY THOSE ISSUES HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST. MOST OF THESE MEMBERS WEREN'T SERVING ON THE BOARD AT THE TIME WHEN MANY OF THOSE OTHER DECISIONS WERE MADE. SO TODAY THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE RESPONSIBILITY, THE DUTY AND THE OBLIGATION UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE INFORMATION THAT IS THERE. THE MINORITY REPORT, BESIDES ITS MAP, ALSO HAS A VERY DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ALL ASPECTS OF THE LAW, WHETHER IT'S MEETING ALL THE GINGLES REQUIREMENTS, WHETHER IT IS LOOKING AT ALL OF THE NUMBERS. IT HAS A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS THAT TAKES ALL OF THE ELECTIONS THAT WERE MENTIONED BY MISS BRILL IN ONE FASHION OR ANOTHER AND POINTS THEM IN THE DIRECTION OF HOW IN L.A. COUNTY UNFORTUNATELY TODAY WE HAVE RACIALLY POLARIZED VOTING. AND IT IS INTERESTING IN TRYING TO ACHIEVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY HAVE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY SELECT THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE, IT REALLY IS GOING TO REQUIRE SOME STRONG LEGAL MUSTER FROM SOMEONE WHO REPRESENTS THE MINORITY COMMUNITY AS IT WAS DONE IN GARZA. I WOULD NOT BE SITTING HERE TODAY HAD IT NOT BEEN THE EFFORT OF M.A.L.D.E.F., THE A.C.L.U. AND MANY, MANY PEOPLE BEFORE THEM WHO HAD BEEN A PART OF THE REAPPORTIONMENT PROCESS AND CONTINUOUSLY TRIED TO DEMONSTRATE TO THIS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THAT THERE IN FACT HAD BEEN INTENTIONAL DISCRIMINATION AND DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO WANTED AN OPPORTUNITY TO SELECT ONE OF THEIR OWN. WE HAVE THAT HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY AGAIN TODAY. AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAP THAT IS BEING PRESENTED, IT WILL TELL YOU THAT IT ADHERES TO THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, WHICH A-2 DOES NOT. IT DOESN'T JUST GLOSS OVER THESE ISSUES. IT CLEARLY PRESENTS ALL OF THE STATISTICS, ALL OF THE INFORMATION AS STRAIGHTFORWARD AS IT SHOULD BE WITHOUT HIDING UNDER ANY ASPECT OF CONFIDENTIALITY OR ANY OTHER ASPECTS. IT PUTS THE LAW FORWARD. IT GIVES IT ALL THE STATISTICS, ALL THE INFORMATION AND EVERYTHING THAT CAN TELL YOU VERY CLEARLY THAT IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, UNDER THE U.S. CENSUS, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DRAW TWO LATINO OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS. AND THAT IS ALL THEY ARE, IS OPPORTUNITY DISTRICTS. WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THE HISTORY AND CERTAINLY ALL THAT GARZA PRESENTED BEFORE IT, AND YOU LOOK AT THE INFORMATION WITHIN THE MINORITY REPORT, IT CLEARLY TELLS US OVER AND OVER AGAIN OF THE RESPONSIBILITY AND IN THE PAST HOW THERE HAS BEEN INTENTIONAL DISCRIMINATION. BUT I THINK THAT WE DO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY NOW AND TODAY. AND CERTAINLY THIS PROCESS IS GOING TO CONTINUE IN WHICH WE CAN PRESENT ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO LOOK AT A SERIES OF MAPS THAT CREATE THAT OPPORTUNITY, THAT ADHERE TO THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, AND THAT ONCE AND FOR ALL MOVE FORWARD. THIS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AWAY FROM JUST A LITIGATION ASPECT, IT COSTS THE COUNTY OVER 14 MILLION DOLLARS LAST TIME AROUND. AND I GUESS IF YOU LOOK AT INFLATION AND EVERYTHING ELSE, YOU'RE PROBABLY TALKING ABOUT 20 MILLION PLUS. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S GOING TO ARM ITSELF AGAIN TO DO WAR WITH THE MINORITY COMMUNITY OF THIS COUNTY. I HOPE IT WILL NOT. I HOPE IT WILL CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY AGAIN WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF TRYING TO HONOR ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF REAPPORTIONMENT THAT ARE IMPORTANT. IT IS NOT AGAIN TO TAKE AWAY FROM SUPERVISOR KNABE OR SUPERVISOR RIDLEY-THOMAS OR SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH OR ANY OF US, BUT TO CREATE A SERIES OF LINES THAT ARE GOING TO CREATE AND FULFILL THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THIS BOARD WAS ELECTED TO UNDERTAKE. AND WHILE I HAVE BEEN AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ THE PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION FROM THE LAWYERS, I CLEARLY BELIEVE, CLEARLY BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH LEGAL GROUND UPON WHICH TO STAND WHEN THE NUMBERS SPEAK SO STRONGLY, THE OBLIGATION STANDS SO FIRMLY AND HOW AGAIN AND AGAIN IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF A LATINO COMMUNITY. WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE. I AM LOOKING TO THIS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY, LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY OTHER MAPS, NOT JUST THIS MAJORITY MAP AT THIS POINT IN TIME SO THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO NOT ONLY MEET THE NEEDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT BUT ALSO TO CONTINUE AS MANY OF US WOULD LIKE TO SEE COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST, OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES, GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY AND ALL THE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WE HAVE UNDER REAPPORTIONMENT. IT CAN BE DONE. AND SO THAT IS MY HOPE. THIS HEARING IS GOING TO BE CONTINUED. THERE WILL BE MANY, MANY OTHERS THAT WILL ADDRESS US ON THESE ISSUES. BUT I HOPE THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FULFILL THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT WAS NOT MET UNDER GARZA AND UNFORTUNATELY THAT THIS COUNTY AND TAXPAYERS DOLLARS AT THE END OF THE DAY PAID THE PRICE. SO AGAIN WHILE WE HAVE MUCH BEFORE US AND WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD, I WANT TO THANK THE COMMITTEE FOR THE WORK THAT IT DID, THE HEARINGS THAT IT PROVIDED, THE EFFORTS THAT WERE DONE; AND SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH, I WANT TO THANK YOUR STAFF FOR BEING SO INCLUSIVE AND ALLOWING ALL OF US TO PARTICIPATE SO THAT WE HAD A HEARING THAT IF NOTHING ELSE, EVERYBODY HAD A SAY AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR POINT OF VIEW. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. [APPLAUSE.]
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY. EXECUTIVE OFFICER WILL-
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: DO YOU WANT ME TO REREAD?
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: YES.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: SO WE ARE REQUESTING TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR PLAN A-2 WITH SUPERVISOR KNABE'S PROPOSED ADDITIONAL REVISIONS TO SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 AND ACCEPT THE 2011 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT BOUNDARY REVIEW COMMITTEE.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: AND THE TIME OF THAT MEETING WOULD BE 1:00 BECAUSE IT'S THE DAY AFTER A HOLIDAY. WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER HAVING THAT MEETING AT 9:30 REGULAR TIME.
SUP. MOLINA: WHEN ON SEPTEMBER 6TH?
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SIXTH. IF WE START AT 1:00, AND WE HAVE A REPEAT OF TODAY, DO YOU SEE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT?
SUP. MOLINA: I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: SO SET THE TIME AT 9:30?
SUP. MOLINA: I WON'T BE HERE AT 9:30.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: WHAT TIME ARE YOU HERE?
SUP. MOLINA: AT 1.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: OKAY. IT WILL BE AT 1:00.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: 1:00 ON SEPTEMBER 6TH. SO I NEED A MOTION.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SO MOVED BY SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY. SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR KNABE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
SUP. KNABE: [OFF MIC] COULD DO THAT TO MAKE SORT AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN ALL OF US THAT WE HAVE NO PRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN AN ANIMAL, MAYBE? IF YOU WANT TO DO AN ANIMAL? I MEAN NO OTHER PRESENTATIONS. I MEAN 1:00 MEETING AND TRYING TO DO ALL THAT. JUST HAVE THE NO PRESENTATIONS THAT DAY.
SUP. MOLINA: I SECOND THAT. [LAUGHTER.]
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: LET'S CHECK THAT WE HAVE NO CONSUL GENERALS. WE'LL SEE IF WE CAN ACHIEVE THAT GOAL. WE'LL CHECK ON THAT.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: AND THEN ON ITEM NUMBER 37-A, THAT IS JUST A RECEIVE AND FILE REPORT.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: YES. RECEIVE AND FILE. SO ORDERED.
SUP. RIDLEY-THOMAS: MR. MAYOR?
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: SUPERVISOR MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS?
SUP. RIDLEY-THOMAS: THIS IS A CLARIFICATION ONCE AGAIN. I THINK IT WAS ASKED AND I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT ADDITIONAL MAPS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED, THEY CAN BE. AND IS IT NOT THE CASE THAT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER INDICATED THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE DONE PRIOR TO OR NO LATER THAN 5 O'CLOCK ON THE 16TH?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: YES.
SUP. RIDLEY-THOMAS: THAT'S CORRECT?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: YES. CORRECT.
SUP. RIDLEY-THOMAS: SO THAT WHICH IS REFERRED TO AS THE MAPS THAT ARE BEFORE US AND WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TODAY WILL BE GIVEN THE SAME CONSIDERATION OF ANY MAPS THAT WOULD FIND THEIR WAY TO THE BOARD'S ATTENTION PRIOR TO 5 O'CLOCK OR 5:01 ON THE 16TH OF AUGUST?
SUP. KNABE: THE ONLY PLAN THAT WAS SUBMITTED TODAY WAS A-2 AS REVISED BY MY MOTION. S-1 WAS NOT SUBMITTED.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: CORRECT.
SUP. RIDLEY-THOMAS: THE POINT TO BE APPRECIATED IS THAT ANY SUBSEQUENT MAPS THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED WILL BE DISPOSED OF SIMILARLY? THAT'S WHAT I'M ESSENTIALLY SAYING.
SUP. KNABE: YEAH THEY JUST HAVE TO BE TURNED IN OR SUBMITTED ADMINISTRATIVELY BY THE 16TH AT 5 O'CLOCK.
ANDREA ORDIN: THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT IF THEY ARE COMPLETED EARLIER, THE STAFF AND OTHERS WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE SEEING THEM EVEN SOONER.
SUP. RIDLEY-THOMAS: IT IS TO BE APPRECIATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD? NOW THIS IS NOT A WIDE OPEN PROCESS WHERE ANY MAP WOULD BE ENTERTAINED, CORRECT?
ANDREA ORDIN: THAT'S CORRECT.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: ONLY A MEMBER OF THE BOARD CAN SUBMIT THAT.
SUP. RIDLEY-THOMAS: ALL RIGHT. I THINK ALL THESE THINGS NEED TO BE CLARIFIED. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR. OKAY. NOW WE CAN PROCEED WITH PUBLIC COMMENT?
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: YES.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. OKAY. PUBLIC COMMENT. JESUS GODFREY. FELICIA FORD. IRENE PANG. IRENE PANG? OSCAR JOHNSON? OSCAR JOHNSON? WALTER BECKTEL, WALTER BECKTEL? DAVID SERRANO? DAVID SERRANO? AND ALAN CLAYTON? ALAN CLAYTON? MR. JOHNSON?
OSCAR JOHNSON: YES. MY NAME IS OSCAR. I SPEAK FOR THE OPPRESSED. I SPEAK FOR THE STRUGGLING POOR AND I SPEAK FOR CULTURE CHANGE I'D LIKE TO THANK THE MOST HIGH GOD FOR PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, THANK GOD FOR THE OBAMA FAMILY. I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT RELIGION, SOCIAL CONDITION AND BLACK HISTORY. WHAT MADE AMERICA MAKE PROGRESS WAS THE PEOPLE THAT BELIEVED IN GOD AND LIVED THE WAY GOD WANTED THEM TO LIVE. THEY BELIEVED AND THEY OBEYED. WHAT HAS DESTROYED AMERICA IS THE PEOPLE WHO DISBELIEVE IN GOD. DEVIL HAS DESTROYED AMERICA TODAY. WE SHOULD END CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT. WE SHOULD END ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. WE NEED SOCIAL CHANGE. THIS MUST HAVE BLACK AMERICA BECOME EDUCATED. WE NEED A GOVERNMENT THAT RESPECTS ALL PEOPLE. WE SHOULD END THIS BUSINESS CLIMAX IN AMERICA. CAPITALISM ONLY REPRESENT ECONOMIC SLAVERY. WE SHOULD END SOCIAL, WE SHOULD END SOCIAL, WE SHOULD END ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. RECEIVE A DATABASE IN TWO YEARS PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HAVE REMOVED 400,000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM THIS COUNTRY. WE SHOULD SUPPORT OUR PRESIDENT MORE. WE SHOULD SUPPORT HIS RIGHT. WE SHOULD COME TOGETHER AND WORK FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF ALL MANKIND. OUR CONSTITUTION TELL US SEPARATE BUT EQUAL. WE SHOULD HAVE MORE BLACK AUTHORITY OVER BLACK PEOPLE LIFE. WE SHOULD CLEAN UP SKID ROW. WE SHOULD REMOVE THE DRUGS OFF OF SKID ROW. WE SHOULD BRING A BETTER GOVERNMENT AND A GOVERNMENT FOR ALL. AMERICA WOULD BE A BETTER COUNTRY IF WE COULD LIVE BY THE CONSTITUTION THAT GOVERN US AND LITTLE BIT OF AFRICAN HISTORY TO AMERICA. I SEE ALL THE BEAUTIFUL PALM TREES THAT HAVE CROSSED AMERICA TODAY. I THINK OF ALL OF THOSE PALM TREES COME FROM AFRICA. BUT A CORRECT PRONUNCIATION OF THE WORD IS PALMETO TREES. BUT CORRUPT PEOPLE THEY ADD TO AND THEY TAKE FROM. AMERICA WOULD BE A MUCH BETTER COUNTRY. WE COULD LIVE BUY THE CONSTITUTION THAT GOVERN US.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU, MR. JOHNSON. MISS PANG?
IRENE PANG: GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M IRENE. I'M CONCERNED THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND GOOD GOVERNMENT IS THE GOAL. TO SELECT THE WHITE LETTERS ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR NATION AND RACES. I ALSO CONCERNED ALL MY FRIENDS IN MY FAMILY MEMBERS AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN, WE HAVE BEEN WORKED HARD FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND NATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN ALL THE RACES. DIVERSITY. I BELIEVE THAT ALL OF US CONTINUOUSLY BE FAITHFUL IN DOING OUR BEST TO OUR NATION AND OUR GOVERNMENTS AND RACES. I ALSO CONCERN MY PERSONAL __________ SAME AS MY FAMILY MEMBERS AND MY FRIENDS. I EXPECT AND APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU THAT SUPPORT AND CONCERN. ALSO, I CONCERNED ABOUT UNITED STATES CITIZEN HAD THE RIGHT TO STAY IN THEIR OWN CITY, THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN LIVING IN THE CITY YEARS. AND ALSO HAD MOVE TO OTHER CITY TO LEAVING. THANK YOU.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. MILDRED LEWIS PASSED AWAY JULY 28TS AT THE AGE OF 105 HAD BEEN A RESIDENT OF OUR COUNTY FOR THE PAST 53 YEARS AND NOW MOVED AND SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR KNABE ADJOURNMENT IN HER MEMORY. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. YES, SIR.
DAVID SERRANO: IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AMEN. CHRIST JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD, AMEN. THE TRUTH IS YESHUA ____ AMEN. JESUS CHRIST IS GOD AMEN. JESUS CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED AS THE ATONING SACRIFICE FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD. HE DIED FOR EVERYONE'S SIN. JESUS CHRIST, THE SINLESS LAMB OF GOD. JESUS CHRIST, THE PERFECTLY INNOCENT LORD AND SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, JESUS CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED FOR ALL THE SINS OF HUMANITY, ALL THE SINS OF THE WORLD. HE WAS CRUCIFIED, HE DIED, WAS BURIED AND ON THE THIRD DAY HE RESURRECTED, AMEN. AND JESUS CHRIST ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND HE SHALL RETURN AGAIN TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD AND TO REWARD THE PROPHETS AND THE SAINTS AND ALL THOSE WHO FEAR HIS HOLY NAME, AMEN. EVERYONE WHO LOVES GOD, AMEN, WILL GET THE REWARD, AMEN. THE REWARD IS ETERNAL LIFE, AMEN, GOD. JESUS CHRIST, FOREVER AND EVER. INTERESTING. SOMETHING VERY INTERESTING IS HAPPENING IN THE HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. THE MAJORITY OF TV STARS, MOVIE STARS, MUSIC STARS, THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WORKING IN THE HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY, THAT'S OVER 50 PERCENT, THEY ARE DEVIL WORSHIPERS, THEY ARE SATANIC SERVANTS OF MAMMON, THEY ARE THE WORSHIPERS OF THE KING OF TYRE, WHO IS THE DEVIL DISGUISED AS BIG BUSINESS. THEY ARE SERVANTS OF SATAN. THEY ARE AGNOSTICS, ATHEISTS AND NEW AGERS, SATANIC NEW AGERS AND THE SATANIC SCIENTOLOGISTS. AND IT MAKES SENSE THAT IT'S SAD, IT'S TRAGIC BUT AT THE SAME TIME, JUDGMENT IS GOING TO COME UPON LOS ANGELES WHEN THOSE APOCALYPTIC EARTHQUAKES DESTROY L.A. BECAUSE GOD IS GOING TO DESTROY THE HOLLYWOOD INDUSTRY.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. MR. CLAYTON.
ALAN CLAYTON: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I JUST WANT TO BRING UP A COUPLE POINTS. THANK YOU. IN LOOKING AT ELECTIONS THAT WERE CONDUCTED WITHIN LOS ANGELES COUNTY WHERE THERE WERE BOTH- AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS THROUGHOUT THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION AND ASKED THAT THEY PUT SOME ELECTIONS INTO THE DATABASE BECAUSE I FELT THAT THERE WERE MANY ELECTIONS THAT WERE LEFT OUT. THERE WERE FOUR ELECTIONS THAT WERE PUT IN. ONE OF THEM I THINK IS VERY SIGNIFICANT. AND I JUST WANT TO READ YOU THE DATA. THIS WAS IN A REPORT DONE BY MATT BARRETO YOU HAVE A COPY OF IN TERMS OF THE DELGADILLO- BROWN RACE AND BROWN WAS ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL. WHEN YOU LOOK AT L.A. COUNTY AND YOU LOOK AT DISTRICT 1 DELGADILLO GOT 69 PERCENT OF THE VOTE IN THE A-2 PLAN AND 64.5 PERCENT IN THE S-1. BUT WHERE IT DIFFERS IS IN DISTRICT 4 WHEREIN THE A-2 PLAN HE GOT 48.5 AND IN THE S-1 HE GOT 62.5. SO THERE'S A 14-POINT DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF HOW DELGADILLO DID. HE WON OVERWHELMINGLY IN DISTRICT 4 IN THE S-1 AND LOST IN THE A-2 PLAN. WHEN YOU LOOK AT ANOTHER RACE WHERE IT WAS A LATINO RUNNING AGAINST A NON-LATINO, BOTH OF THEM FOR AN OPEN SEAT, WHICH WAS THE ORTIZ-BOWEN RACE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE, IN DISTRICT 1, ORTIZ GOT 64 PERCENT IN THE S-1 PLAN 56 .8. BUT IN DISTRICT 4 IN THE A-2 PLAN ORTIZ GOT 39.1 BUT IN S-1 57 PERCENT. 18 POINT DIFFERENCE. IN ONE SHE LOST IN THE OTHER SHE WON.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU.
ALAN CLAYTON: PARTIAL ELECTIONS.
SUP. ANTONOVICH, MAYOR: THANK YOU. OKAY. WE ARE GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
CLERK SACHI HAMAI: IN ACCORDANCE WITH BROWN ACT REQUIREMENTS, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS ITEM NUMBER CS-1, CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING EXISTING LITIGATION, ITEM NUMBER CS-2 AND CS-3, CONFERENCES WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION, ONE CASE EACH, AND ITEM NUMBER CS-5, DEPARTMENT HEAD PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS AS INDICATED ON THE POSTED AGENDA. IN ADDITION, THE MAYOR HAS REQUESTED THAT ITEM NUMBER 36 FROM TODAY'S OPEN SESSION MEETING REGARDING THE LA-RICS DISCUSSION BE MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9 SUBSECTION B. THANK YOU.
REPORT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION AUGUST 9, 2011
CS-1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EXISTING LITIGATION (Subdivision (a) of Government Code Section 54956.9) Frank Nelson v. County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. TC 024128.
This is a personal injury matter arising from an incident at a bus shelter. (11-3335)
The Board approved settlement of the matter titled Frank Nelson v. County of Los Angeles. The details of the settlement will be made available once finalized by all parties.
The vote of the Board was unanimous with all Supervisors being present.
In closed session, item CS-2 was continued one week to August 16, 2011.
CS-3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Subdivision (b) of Government Code Section 54956.9) Significant exposure to litigation (one case) Claim brought by iStar Financial related to costs to construct a groundwater well for Waterworks District 36 in Val Verde. (11-3573)
The Board approved settlement of this matter. The details of the settlement will be made available once finalized by all parties. The vote of the Board was unanimous with all Supervisors being present.
In open session, item CS-4 was continued one week to August 16, 2011.
No reportable action was taken on item CS-5.
CS-6. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Subdivision (b) of Government Code Section 54956.9) Significant exposure to litigation (one case) Identified as Item Number 36 on the posted agenda.
The Board received and filed the report. The vote of the Board was unanimous with all Supervisors being present.
I, JENNIFER A. HINES, Certified Shorthand Reporter Number 6029/RPR/CRR qualified in and for the State of California, do hereby certify:
That the transcripts of proceedings recorded by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors August 9, 2011,
were thereafter transcribed into typewriting under my direction and supervision;
That the transcript of recorded proceedings as archived in the office of the reporter and which have been provided to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors as certified by me.
I further certify that I am neither counsel for, nor related to any party to the said action; nor
in anywise interested in the outcome thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of August 2011, for the County records to be used only for authentication purposes of duly certified transcripts
as on file of the office of the reporter.
JENNIFER A. HINES
CSR No. 6029/RPR/CRR
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